Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 29 April 2026 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Employers can publish voluntary action plans to address the gender pay gap and support women in the workplace during menopause.
  • The Government expects businesses and groups to confidently be trans-inclusive while ensuring protection against discrimination.
  • The Minister condemned the questioning of an independent MP, referencing a previous investigation into his conduct.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tony Vaughan Lab Folkestone and Hythe
Women & Equalities
Context

The question follows the Government's introduction of new voluntary action plans to tackle gender pay gaps and support women during menopause.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. She notes that employers can now publish voluntary action plans to address the gender pay gap and support women in the workplace facing menopause, which is a step forward in improving equality for women. The Government has also launched an updated women's health strategy and the Employment Rights Act 2025 with stronger protections for maternity and pregnant women.

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

From this month, employers can publish new voluntary action plans to tackle the gender pay gap and support women in the workplace going through the menopause, which is a vital step forward in improving workplace equality. We are working with employers and encouraging them to take the meaningful actions we know can work. With our women's health strategy, the landmark Employment Rights Act 2025, stronger protections for maternity and pregnant women, and expanded childcare, this Government are supporting women to thrive at work.

Answered
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Q2 Tony Vaughan Lab Folkestone and Hythe
Women & Equalities
Context

Following the Supreme Court's ruling in the For Women Scotland case, constituents have raised concerns about the Equality and Human Rights Commission's draft code of practice and guidance.

Question

After meeting with constituents who expressed concerns about the updated guidance for trans-inclusion and protection from discrimination, I ask what assurances can my right hon. Friend give that businesses and groups can confidently be trans-inclusive, and how it will ensure clear protection against harassment and discrimination?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I completely agree that we must ensure that women and trans people feel safe and are protected from harassment. We will treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve, because those are our values, and that is made clear in the Equality Act 2010. We have also been clear that we expect duty bearers to follow the Supreme Court ruling, and to seek legal advice where necessary. I recently received an updated code of practice from the EHRC. I am grateful to it for its work. My intention is to lay the draft code before Parliament in May, as soon as possible after the election period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assurance regarding business confidence and clarity on protection against discrimination was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
NHS
Context

Nurses have been harassed by the NHS for stating that biological sex is real. The Minister met some nurses who raised concerns, and I am grateful to her for doing so.

Question

What has happened since my meeting with some nurses a few months ago? Has she received an answer from the Nursing and Midwifery Council about how many more nurses face such harassment? Does she have a date from the Health Secretary when single-sex changing rooms will be guaranteed for staff?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

My message to nurses and to anyone working in our NHS is that they deserve dignity at work. They deserve to be treated with respect, and they should not face abuse, intimidation or harassment. We have seen some shocking cases, and that is completely unacceptable. The right hon. Lady will appreciate that the regulator is independent of Government. It is independent for a reason, and that is the right approach. She will also know that the code of practice that I intend to lay before Parliament does not apply to employment, but employers should be following the law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions taken after meeting nurses and details on single-sex changing rooms were not provided.

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Q4 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Democracy & Elections Religion & Faith
Context

The Muslim Vote campaign is influencing voting behaviour based on religious affiliation, which the questioner finds divisive.

Question

Will she condemn this group and the sectarian role it plays in British politics when endorsing parties like Green Party and Plaid Cymru?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

No one should face pressure or undue influence around their voting behaviour; let me be absolutely clear on that point. But let me also be clear to the House that I am fed up to the back teeth of Opposition politicians coming here time and again to sow division across our country. I am proud of the tolerant, compassionate and respectful nation that we are, and the shadow Justice Secretary should have been sacked for his shocking and shameful racist comments against Muslims in our country.

How: Attacking The Opposition

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Q5 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Women & Equalities
Context

Leaked guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggested that it would be lawful for transgender individuals to be excluded from changing facilities based on appearance.

Question

Can she reassure me that such an obvious licence for bigotry and discrimination will not be included in the final guidance when you publish it next month?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. She will appreciate, I am sure, that I cannot comment on the draft code of practice, but I want to reassure the House that trans people will continue to be protected from discrimination under the Equality Act. We will not treat this issue as a political football, as many others have done in the past.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reassurance regarding exclusionary language was not provided.

How: Cannot Comment On Draft Code Of Practice

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Q6 Rupert Lowe Restore Britain Great Yarmouth
Immigration Women & Equalities
Context

Women in various towns feel intimidated and harassed, particularly by young foreign men from cultures that do not respect women.

Question

Will the Minister commit to a national audit of street harassment, intimidation and sexual offending by nationality and immigration status?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

Here we go again, Mr Speaker. I note that an investigation by a King's counsel into the hon. Gentleman's conduct concluded that there was “credible evidence” that he had mistreated two female team members in a way that seemed “to amount to harassment”. I do not want to hear anything from him about violence against women and girls or harassment.

How: Attacking The Questioner

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