Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 8 March 2023 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Stephens asked about sexual harassment in the workplace, and the Minister stated that her department takes this issue seriously.
  • Simon Jupp inquired about steps the Government is taking to prevent menopause discrimination in the workplace, and the Minister highlighted ongoing work with employers and employees to address stigma.
  • Mick Whitley raised concerns about disabled people being more likely to experience domestic abuse and sexual violence, and the Minister responded that the Government is investing significant funds to combat such violence and focusing on education initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The question prompts the Minister to make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, specifically in honour of International Women's Day.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The Minister will be aware—[Interruption.]

Answer from Maria Caulfield (Minister for Women)

I wish everyone a happy International Women's Day, when we celebrate 51% of the population. I am proud of this Government's record on supporting women, whether that is young girls playing more sport in school or the first ever women's health strategy, which this year will see the rolling out of the prepayment certificate for hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy loss certificates this summer, and the levelling up of IVF access. Today I am proud to announce £25 million to roll out women's health hubs across England—the one-stop shop for all women's health needs that will drastically improve women's experience of healthcare in England.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Employment
Context

The question follows up on sexual harassment issues, specifically addressing the Minister's acknowledgment of the problem and actions taken.

Question

The Minister will be aware—[Interruption.] The Minister will be aware that sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue. Will she make clear what steps her department has taken to address this?

Answer from Maria Caulfield (Minister for Women)

We take sexual harassment in the workplace very seriously—[Interruption.] Oh, to be shouted down for the entrance of a man.

Not addressed: Sexual harassment steps taken by the government

How: Shouting Down

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Q3 Simon Jupp
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses menopause stigma and discrimination in workplaces, prompting the government to outline steps taken.

Question

I am proudly backing a campaign to improve services for menopause sufferers in the county of Devon. In society and at work, stigma remains a barrier to many people getting the support they require. What steps are the Government taking to prevent menopause discrimination in the workplace?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Women and Equalities)

We are working with employers and employees on that crucial matter, to ensure that there is no stigma in the workplace for those experiencing the impact of the menopause. To that end, on Monday I was delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Tomlinson as the Department for Work and Pensions menopause employment champion. She will have a key role in driving awareness and promoting the benefits to both business and the economy of a fully inclusive workplace.

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Q4 Mick Whitley
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The question addresses the High Court ruling on the national disability strategy, prompting a commitment to tackling violence against disabled individuals.

Question

Disabled people are more than twice as likely to experience domestic abuse and sexual violence as non-disabled people. The national disability strategy set out a roadmap to improve the protection and support available to disabled people in their homes, but last year that was found to be unlawful by the High Court for not having given the disabled community an adequate opportunity to shape the strategy. Will the Minister confirm that tackling the scourge of violence against disabled people will be a central priority of the new disability action plan, and will she guarantee that that new plan will be shaped by disabled people?

Answer from Sarah Dines (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work)

Violence against disabled people, in their home or anywhere, is just as important an issue as violence against anybody else, and we are putting unprecedented moneys towards stopping that sort of violence. It is all about education. The National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing are working hard on that, and we are making progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee that the new plan will be shaped by disabled people

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Q5 James Duddridge Con
Mental Health
Context

The question addresses the issue of mental health and suicide among young men, prompting a response on government initiatives to help.

Question

Young men often struggle with their mental health, and particularly with suicidal thoughts that can hit like a heart attack. What more can the Government do—indeed, what more can each individual Member of the House do—to help those young men?

Answer from Maria Caulfield (Minister for Women)

Absolutely. That is why we are setting out the suicide prevention strategy and looking at high-risk groups such as men. The Home Office is also working to set up helplines for men. Some £200,000 is going into those helplines, and so far they have supported 10,000 men who needed support.

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Q6 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses the disparity between men and women starting new businesses, prompting a response on government support for female founders.

Question

New businesses are almost three times as likely to be started by men as by women. Does the Minister agree with Labour's plan to work with the British Business Bank to support female founders to achieve their ambitions?

Answer from Maria Caulfield (Minister for Women)

The Labour party is once again late to the party, because the Conservative Government are already delivering on this. We have set up the high-growth enterprise taskforce to get more women into setting up high-growth businesses and to end the disparity in venture capital whereby, for every pound that is given, 89p currently goes to men's businesses and only a penny to women's.

How: Late To The Party

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