Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Fertility Treatment (Right to Time Off) 2025-11-04

04 November 2025 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Alice Macdonald Lab/Co-op Norwich North

Employment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alice Macdonald raised concerns about fertility treatment (right to time off) 2025-11-04 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The motion proposes a Bill to provide employees with legal rights to paid time off work for fertility treatment.
  • The MP highlights the challenges and lack of employer support for individuals undergoing IVF.
  • The MP argues that access to fertility treatment should not be dependent on employer goodwill or personal financial resources.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Alice Macdonald Lab/Co-op Norwich North

The motion proposes a Bill that would provide employees with legal rights to paid time off work for fertility treatment. It aims to address the significant challenges faced by individuals undergoing IVF, highlighting the lack of support from employers and the emotional and physical toll it imposes. The MP argues that access to fertility treatment should not depend on employer goodwill or personal financial resources and underlines the importance of workplace protection similar to antenatal care.

Other contributors (1)
  • Alice Macdonald Lab/Co-op Norwich North

    The Bill aims to establish a statutory right to paid time off for employees undergoing fertility treatment, including partners. It addresses the current lack of support from employers and highlights the physical and emotional strain associated with IVF treatments. The MP cites statistics showing that over 50,000 patients underwent IVF in 2023 and underscores the inequality faced by women who must often hide their medical condition due to fear of employer retaliation or loss of employment.

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