I am very much looking forward to attending the inaugural Women in Construction Awards this week, an industry where women make up only 13% of all employees and just 1% on site. The awards are dedicated to the incredible women who are challenging stereotypes, raising awareness of the potential of the industry to a wider audience and helping to address skill shortages. They are also raising funds for a brilliant charity, The Maggie Oliver Foundation, which supports women and girls who have been victims of sexual and domestic abuse.
This weekend in Romsey we will see a number of important events. I am really looking forward to the return of the food festival, which is always a very popular occasion, and of course we will celebrate and commemorate the life of Earl Mountbatten at the annual service in the Abbey.
We will also see two awareness weeks commence, Migraine Awareness Week, which this year is focusing on the impact migraine has on children and young people. One in ten children suffer from migraines, which can seriously limit their ability to take part in education. It is also the start of British Beauty Week, which is a chance to celebrate an industry which struggled through the pandemic and is now facing the prospect of high energy costs. I am very conscious the sector employs nearly 300,000 women and contributes about £28 billion to the economy, it is one worth both celebrating and supporting.
