Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 28 January 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Douglas McAllister expressed concern over the widening gender pay gap in Scotland from 2% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025.
  • Claire Coutinho raised concerns about nurses facing harassment in the NHS for recognizing biological sex.
  • Claire Coutinho mentioned The Muslim Vote endorsing the Green party in the Gorton and Denton area, expressing worry about sectarianism in politics.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Scotland Women & Equalities
Context

The gender pay gap for full-time employees in Scotland widened from 2% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025, indicating a worsening trend in women's earnings relative to men’s.

Question

I am concerned about the widening of the gender pay gap for full-time employees in Scotland from 2% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025. On the SNP’s watch, women are earning less for the same hours. What can the UK Government do to improve matters?

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

My hon. Friend is right: we must narrow that gap. We are ensuring that large employers, including in the Scottish private sector, publish plans on how they will address the gender pay gap. Of course, I am proud that, alongside my hon. Friend, this Labour Government are delivering the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not provide specific actions or policies to narrow the gender pay gap beyond publishing plans by employers.

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Q2 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Nurses across the country are facing harassment from the NHS, unions, and other bodies for recognising biological sex as real. One such nurse is Jennifer Melle.

Question

Nurses up and down the country, including Darlington nurses and Jennifer Melle, are being hounded and harassed by the NHS simply for recognising that biological sex is real. I am grateful that the Minister has previously agreed to meet Jennifer. Will she hold accountable those in the NHS, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and unions who have harassed and victimised these nurses?

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

I look forward to meeting Jennifer soon to discuss her experiences and what more we can do to ensure that women in the NHS are safe at work. I am determined to ensure that the rights, voices and spaces for women who work in the NHS and women who are patients in the NHS are protected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to holding specific individuals or bodies accountable but expressed a commitment to discuss the issue further.

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Q3 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Democracy & Elections Religion & Faith
Context

The Muslim Vote has endorsed the Green Party in Gorton and Denton, leading to sectarian conflicts. A Labour candidate at a previous election was threatened with beheading.

Question

In the case of Gorton and Denton, we heard this week that The Muslim Vote has decided to endorse the Green party. This is overt sectarism in our midst. We know where sectarian politics leads—conflict and strife. Even one of Labour’s candidates at the last election was threatened with beheading. Will the Secretary of State call out this problem?

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

I am not aware of the particular case that the right hon. Lady describes. What I can say is that violence, intimidation or harassment has no place in our politics. No political candidate or Member of Parliament should be subject to that kind of experience.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not address the specific case mentioned and only provided a general statement against violence without concrete action.

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