Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NDAs: Sexual Assault, Harassment and Misconduct

Tuesday 16 May 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Layla Moran asked the Minister about discussions on the use of NDAs in sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct cases.
  • The Minister responded that legislation has been passed to prevent higher education providers from using NDAs in cases of sexual abuse, harassment, or misconduct.
  • The Government consulted on the misuse of NDAs between workers and employers and is planning further steps carefully.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Standards & Ethics
Context

NDAs are used by businesses, political parties, and schools to silence victims of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the use of non-disclosure agreements in sexual assault, harassment and misconduct cases. Non-disclosure agreements and gagging clauses are endemic; they prevent victims from accessing vital services and disempower them. In the Victims and Prisoners Bill, there is an opportunity to ban NDAs once and for all.

Answer from Edward Argar

The Minister has legislated against higher education providers using NDAs in sexual abuse, harassment or misconduct cases. The Government consulted on misuse of NDAs between workers and their employers, planning next steps carefully. He agreed to meet with Members after yesterday's debate and is willing to meet victims but suggests meeting the hon. Lady first.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about meeting victims was partially addressed by offering to meet in the first instance with the Member, without committing to direct victim meetings.

How: Suggesting A Meeting With The Member Instead Of Directly Addressing The Request To Meet With Victims

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

NDAs are used by businesses, political parties, and schools to silence victims of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response, but non-disclosure agreements and gagging clauses are endemic. They are used almost unthinkingly by businesses, political parties and even schools in cases of harassment, bullying and discrimination. They silence victims, prevent them from accessing vital services, and serve only to disempower. In the Victims and Prisoners Bill, we have a golden opportunity to ban them once and for all, so I thank the Minister for his words in yesterday's debate and his offer of a meeting for Members, but would he consider meeting the victims so that he can hear at first hand the effect that these insidious things have on the victims themselves?

Answer from Edward Argar

The Minister has legislated against higher education providers using NDAs in sexual abuse, harassment or misconduct cases. The Government consulted on misuse of NDAs between workers and their employers, planning next steps carefully. He agreed to meet with Members after yesterday's debate and is willing to meet victims but suggests meeting the hon. Lady first.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about meeting victims was partially addressed by offering to meet with the Member first without committing to direct victim meetings.

How: Suggesting A Meeting With The Member Instead Of Directly Addressing The Request To Meet With Victims

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email