Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Menopause: Workplace Support

Wednesday 15 May 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government appointed Helen Tomlinson as the first menopause employment champion to advise businesses on supporting menopausal women.
  • Labour claims to have a strong record on women's equality and plans to match past achievements by requiring large employers to address menopause support.
  • The Minister asserts that the current government's initiatives, such as the Wellbeing of Women pledge, surpass Labour's efforts in women's health.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need to support women facing challenges in their workplace due to menopause. The MP highlights the importance of addressing this issue.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support women experiencing menopause at work?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

In March last year we appointed Helen Tomlinson as the Government's first ever menopause employment champion. She has been working up and down the country, visiting businesses large and small and giving them advice on policies to support menopausal women in the workplace. She recently published her 12-month review, “Shattering the Silence about Menopause”.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Labour's commitment to advancing equality is mentioned, highlighting the previous government's efforts. The MP raises concerns about requiring large employers to adopt menopause action plans.

Question

I am grateful for that reply. Labour is the party of women's equality. The previous Labour Government did more to advance equality than any other, and the next one will match that record. We are committed to supporting women experiencing menopause to thrive at work by requiring large employers to adopt menopause action plans. Will the Minister do the same?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

As usual, this Government have already done all of that work. In England we have the Wellbeing of Women pledge, which the NHS, the civil service and this Parliament have signed. We will take no lectures from Labour on women's health. While we have had a women's health strategy for two years, Labour-run Wales has no health plan for women.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Requirement for large employers to adopt menopause action plans

How: We Will Take No Lectures From Labour On Women'S Health, While We Have Had A Women'S Health Strategy For Two Years, Labour-Run Wales Has No Health Plan For Women

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Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Women & Equalities
Context

Research indicates that one in ten women leave work due to a lack of support during the menopausal period, often involving age and sex discrimination. The MP raises the issue of legal protections.

Question

Research shows that one in 10 women with menopausal symptoms have left work due to a lack of support. In some cases, this will have been due to discrimination. Women experiencing menopause know that this is because of their age and sex, but the law does not protect them on that combined basis. Why not?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The Equality Act 2010 already protects women on the basis of sex, age and disability. It is this Government who are changing the experience of menopause by rolling out women's health hubs in every integrated care board across England, so that women can access menopause support. We also have our hormone replacement therapy prepayment certificate, which is available for just under £20 a year for women to get all their HRT prescriptions. Over half a million women in England have bought one of those certificates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Legal protection against dual discrimination

How: It Is This Government Who Are Changing The Experience Of Menopause By Rolling Out Women'S Health Hubs, We Also Have Our Hormone Replacement Therapy Prepayment Certificate

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP discusses Labour's approach to menopause at work, including large businesses producing action plans and setting investment targets for women-led start-ups. The context involves a discussion about the political stance on this issue.

Question

The Minister referred to Labour's Equality Act, which of course includes protections against dual discrimination, but the Conservatives have refused to enact those protections. Labour would put that right. We would also require large businesses to produce menopause action plans, which the Government have refused to do, and we would also publish guidance for smaller businesses. We would set a new investment target for women-led start-ups, and we would transform the rights of women at work with a new deal for working people. The Minister for Women and Equalities has suggested, of course, that menopause at work is a left-wing issue. Does this Minister agree?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The shadow Minister fails to mention the Help to Grow portal, which has a menopause resource hub that enables employers to use that information to better support women in the workplace, whether with flexible working—under laws that this Conservative Government have introduced—or through simple measures such as recognising that even the uniform a woman wears in the workplace can make a difference. This Conservative Government have raised the bar on menopause health and support in the workplace and in healthcare, while Labour for many years could not even define what a woman actually is.

How: The Shadow Minister Fails To Mention The Help To Grow Portal, This Conservative Government Have Raised The Bar On Menopause Health And Support In The Workplace And In Healthcare, While Labour For Many Years Could Not Even Define What A Woman Actually Is

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