Published at 11:17, Tuesday, 11 March 2008

A CUMBRIA-based women’s development consultant today went head-to-head with controversial businessman Sir Alan Sugar.

Not so sweet on Sugar: Dr Sue Hewitt says she was astounded by comments made by Sir Alan Sugar

Dr Sue Hewitt who runs her Milecastle Consultancy from Brampton, near Carlisle, has challenged his idea that employing women is risky for businesses.

She said: “I was astounded to read about Alan Sugar throwing women’s CVs in the bin and I felt that this represented a missed opportunity for UK plc.

“We have a demographic crisis on our hands and discounting half of our workforce is not going to help to keep Britain great.”

Sugar, who features in the ‘headhunting’ TV programme The Apprentice, has been reported recently as saying that the current equality legislation goes too far.

Such legislation has existed in the UK for more than 30 years but recent press reports indicate that wide-scale structural discrimination still exists for women.

Sue added: “If companies are still ignoring the skills and abilities of half of our workforce by throwing their CVs in the bin then they are also throwing pound notes after them.

“I felt that I should challenge the position taken by Alan Sugar. The hard facts are that without more women and older workers playing a full economic role in our workforce we cannot maintain our economic position, let alone secure economic growth.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk