Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 7 May 2025 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Olly Glover raised concerns about the UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman and its impact on the trans community.
  • Frank McNally questioned the Government about steps being taken to protect young people from misogynistic and harmful content promoted by social media algorithms.
  • Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi inquired about Labour's plans to address the gender pay gap through expanded childcare and free breakfast clubs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Women & Equalities
Context

Recent UK Supreme Court ruling has caused uncertainty among the trans community about how they will be able to go about their day-to-day lives.

Question

Many constituents have written to me to express their concern on the recent UK Supreme Court ruling relating to the legal definition of a woman. It has left the already vulnerable members of the trans community feeling uncertain about how they will be able to go about their day-to-day lives. What steps is the Minister taking to work with her colleagues in other Departments to provide further guidance and clarity on what the judgment means in practice?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

You will know, Mr Speaker, that I made a statement to the House setting out the Government’s position where we welcomed the clarity of the Supreme Court ruling. I should also stress that, of course, everyone within our country deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and trans people continue to enjoy protection from harassment and discrimination under the law. We are working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on its code of practice, which it will set out in due course following consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or timeline for providing further guidance and clarity.

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Q2 Frank McNally Lab Coatbridge and Bellshill
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

There are growing concerns around social media algorithms increasingly promoting misogynistic and harmful content to children, particularly using the hook of dangerous online influencers.

Question

My right hon. Friend will know of the growing concerns around social media algorithms increasingly promoting misogynistic and harmful content to children, particularly using the hook of dangerous online influencers. What steps is she taking working with Cabinet colleagues to protect young people from such destructive influences?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

My hon. Friend raises a concern shared by many across the House, and it is crucial that we root out misogyny, whether it is online or offline. I am working with colleagues across Government to tackle those dangerous attitudes. For example, through the Department for Education, we are looking at bringing forward updated relationships, health and sex education guidance to ensure that it prevents and tackles misogyny. Alongside that, I know the Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary is determined to go further and faster to ensure that children are protected online.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps being taken beyond referencing existing initiatives.

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Q3 Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Lab Slough
Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

The gender pay gap remains high and needs action.

Question

The Tories shamefully left the gender pay gap persistently high. Does the Secretary of State agree that Labour’s childcare expansion, free breakfast clubs and new nurseries will drive up women’s incomes and work choices, who are disproportionately more affected by caring responsibilities?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

I agree with my hon. Friend. This Labour Government are determined to ensure that all women have choices when it comes to balancing work and family life. That is why we are expanding access to childcare through new free breakfast clubs and new primary-based nurseries, and I am delighted that my hon. Friend’s constituents will benefit from one of those new free breakfast clubs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide evidence or proof regarding the effectiveness of Labour's initiatives in reducing the gender pay gap.

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Q4 Beccy Cooper Lab Worthing West
NHS
Context

Midwives are essential in ending inequity in maternal health and delivering community-based care.

Question

This week we celebrate the International Day of Midwives. Midwives are an essential part of ending inequity in maternal health, delivering lifesaving community-based care. Will the Minister please commit to working with the Minister for Health to ensure that our 10-year health strategy and the NHS workforce plan put adequate resources into the overstretched maternity units in many, often deprived, parts of our country?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Yes, I am happy to give my hon. Friend that commitment. I know how seriously the Health Secretary takes this issue, because he knows, as I do, that too many women have been failed by poor maternal care and during traumatic experiences, and that all women deserve safe, compassionate care in those often quite difficult times that they can experience. That is why we are committed to training thousands more midwives and, through our NHS 10-year plan, we will ensure that there is equitable access right across the country for all women as they experience pregnancy and childbirth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or timeline regarding resource allocation to maternity units.

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