Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Commemoration of Matchgirls’ Strike 2025-07-16

16 July 2025 · 7 other contributors

Opened by Uma Kumaran Lab Stratford and Bow

EducationEmploymentStandards & Ethics

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Uma Kumaran raised concerns about commemoration of matchgirls’ strike 2025-07-16 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Commemoration of the Matchgirls' Strike in 1888 was discussed in the UK Parliament on 2025-07-16.
  • The debate highlighted the matchgirls' struggle against poor working conditions and white phosphorus poisoning at the Bryant & May match factory.
  • The Minister acknowledged the matchgirls' role in the development of labour movements and trade unionism in Britain.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Uma Kumaran Lab Stratford and Bow

I am grateful for the opportunity to open this debate and pay tribute to the matchgirls—the young women of the Bryant & May match factory in Bow who endured long hours, pitiful pay, and appalling working conditions. They fought against white phosphorus poisoning that led to a condition called 'phossy jaw' and walked out on strike in July 1888 with some 1,400 girls marching from Bow to Parliament. The matchgirls’ strike lit the spark of the new labour movement and trade unionism in Britain, forming the basis for today's fight for workers' rights. I ask the Minister whether we will formally recognise their role in British history and education.

Other contributors (7)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The spirit of the matchgirls lives on in women today, as seen with WASPI women who fought for fair compensation.

  • Antonia Bance Lab Tipton and Wednesbury

    Commemorating the struggle of workers, particularly women workers, is key to understanding working-class history and should include industrial struggles such as those in Dudley Port factory and Cradley Heath.

  • James Asser Lab West Ham and Beckton

    East London has an incredibly strong labour history often led by working-class women who had to overcome class prejudice, poverty, social conditions, and sexism of the time.

  • Mary Kelly Foy Lab City of Durham

    The matchgirls’ strike played a significant part in labour history and struggles of women. In Durham, women sustained miners during strikes and are still active today.

  • John Slinger Lab Rugby

    My hon. Friend agrees that the brave actions of the matchgirls should serve as an inspiration to girls and young women in constituencies.

  • Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford

    I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate on a topic that needs more attention, highlighting the courage of the matchgirls who inspired the dockworkers’ strike of 1889.

  • Justin Madders Lab Nantwich

    My hon. Friend congratulates Redhills on the refurbishment of a historic building that will serve as an educational resource and living heritage site, commemorating the struggles of mining communities.

Government Response

Government Minister

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing her first Adjournment debate, highlighting the courageous actions of the matchgirls in 1888. We have made great advancements in working conditions but there are still issues to address today such as discrimination and unsafe working environments. The Employment Rights Bill aims to tackle these by strengthening dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, expanding gender pay gap action plans, and addressing insecure work practices. This Labour Government is committed to ensuring that workplaces are safe for women and continuing the work of the matchgirls to improve workers’ rights. We've provided a statutory national curriculum that sets out subjects to be taught in maintained schools. While there is flexibility within the framework, especially in history education, I encourage teaching about the matchgirls’ strike as part of local history content. Resources such as those from Oak National Academy and the Historical Association can aid this endeavour. Regarding commemoration, while it's not standard practice for central government to fund statues or memorials, there is a long tradition of public subscription funding successful projects. The Government’s memorial grant scheme offers indirect assistance by covering VAT costs for charities and faith groups in constructing public memorial structures, with an annual budget of £500,000. I urge the hon. Member to correspond with DCMS for more detailed advice on establishing memorials.

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