Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 10 December 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 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed concerns about the challenges faced by women in rural areas accessing support services for domestic abuse.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the courage of women coming forward in rural communities and the additional barriers they face.
  • The government is investing more in support services for victims of domestic abuse and plans to publish a violence against women and girls strategy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

Victims of domestic abuse in rural areas often have to travel long distances to access essential services like refuges and police stations, which can pose significant safety risks.

Question

Women in rural areas often have to travel long distances to reach a refuge, police station or basic support services. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the impact that travelling those long distances has on the safety of victims of domestic abuse, and what action is being taken to close the rural support gap?

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

I do recognise that challenge. That is why in developing our violence against women and girls strategy we heard from victims in rural areas to understand what more is needed to ensure that they can access the services and support that they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific assessment or action plan to address the impact of long distances on safety for victims in rural areas.

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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Community Security Women & Equalities
Context

Western Isles Women’s Aid in the constituency helped 180 women last year, operating at full capacity. The organization is uncertain about future funding despite its critical role in addressing domestic abuse cases.

Question

Western Isles Women’s Aid in my constituency helped 180 women last year. The refuge is working at capacity, yet its funding is uncertain. That is why my fundraiser on Friday will seek to raise funds for the organisations. More than 1,800 women reported domestic abuse in the highlands 10 years ago; last year the figure was closer to 2,800. Does the Secretary of State agree that in rural and island communities it takes a lot of courage for women to report domestic abuse, yet we can see from the figures that domestic abuse is no less prevalent?

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

I do agree. It takes enormous courage to come forward, as women in rural communities often experience additional barriers. I commend my hon. Friend for his fundraising efforts. We are investing more in support services for victims, and my hon. Friend will see when we publish our violence against women and girls strategy that we have heard directly from those living in rural communities to understand what more is needed to put in place the support that they require.

Answered
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Q3 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

A black nurse, Jennifer Melle, was racially abused and suspended from her job after correctly referring to a convicted paedophile's biological sex in a medical context. She continues to face injustice 18 months later.

Question

Jennifer Melle, a black nurse with a faultless record, was racially abused by a convicted paedophile for correctly referring to his biological sex in a medical context. She was called the N-word multiple times in her workplace, yet she was the one who was punished by her NHS trust and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. She is still suspended from the job she loves, 18 months later. Does the Secretary of State agree that the dedicated nurses who are being punished for asserting that biological sex is real are facing a gross injustice, and will she meet Jennifer to hear her story?

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

No one should face racist abuse or violence in any workplace, and that includes the NHS. As we have also seen with the Sandie Peggie case, coming to decisions on these cases in a timely manner is incredibly important. I hope that the matter the right hon. Lady refers to can be resolved as swiftly as possible. I would, of course, be happy to meet Jennifer to hear her experience.

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Q4 Sarah Russell Lab Congleton
Children & Families
Context

Mothers pursuing PhDs face challenges accessing free childcare hours despite being funded by the government for their university research, leading to financial strain and difficulties balancing work and family life.

Question

There is a massive problem with childcare for mothers doing PhDs. Even if they are fully funded for their university research, essentially by the Government, they will not be eligible for free childcare hours and that affects both parents. The average PhD stipend is just £15,000 a year, but the average nursery place is £12,500 a year. Will the Minister look into that?

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

I am happy to discuss that further with my hon. Friend. We are committed to reviewing childcare support and making sure that it is accessible and simple for families. PhD students are not eligible for some elements of support, but depending on income they may be eligible for certain hours. Student parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of early free childcare, which is also available for all three and four-year-olds, regardless of family circumstances.

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