Dame Andrea was also asked on the programme about Reform UK’s pledge to scrap diversity officers from local authorities.
Nigel Farage, the leader of the party, has said getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officers is at the top of their agenda.
However, when asked by the BBC about such roles, Lincolnshire County Council said it did not have any staff doing those kinds of jobs.
Dame Andrea claimed the diversity roles had been “rebranded now as mentors”.
“I think there’s lots of these hidden roles, diversity hidden roles, which we need to uncover,” she said.
“I’m a meritocrat, and I think this diversity extreme inclusion, it can actually divide people more.
“I’m neurodiverse myself, My son is, it’s about creating the right conditions to make sure that people are attracted to these jobs.
“I just want competent people. So I think that we need to do away with roles like this.”
Councillor Judith Matthews, of North Lincolnshire Council, appeared live on the programme. She was asked what she wanted Jenkyns to achieve in her role.
The Labour councillor said: “She needs to help the disabled people get back into work that have a lot of skills. And that can be done by working in collaboration with disability groups so that everybody has a fair chance at a good job.”
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.
