Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 24 June 2026 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) asked the Minister to make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, focusing on the protection of individuals under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) inquired about better coordination across government departments to support women and child victims of abuse.
  • Claire Coutinho (Conservative) raised concerns that the Government's Islamophobia definition could be used to restrict free speech.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need for clarity on how the department will fulfill its responsibilities.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 protects everyone from discrimination and harassment, but there are concerns about dismantling these protections.

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

The Equality Act 2010 is a monumental achievement that protects everyone from discrimination and harassment. The public sector equality duty makes our services fairer for everyone, and we are bolstering that by commencing the socioeconomic duty. To those who want to dismantle these protections, I say that we will not let them turn back the clock.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question is raised due to the cases of Caroline Eshghi and Tina Nash, highlighting concerns about insufficient protection and support from Government.

Question

I have given Ministers advance notice of this question. Will they do more to better co-ordinate support across Government for women and child victims? The abuser of my constituent Caroline Eshghi was granted a lenient sentence because the abuse occurred before 2005, and my constituent Tina Nash feels insufficiently protected and supported by either the Parole Board or the victim contact scheme.

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I share with him my sympathy for those affected, given all that they have been through and the harm that they have suffered. I am more than happy to discuss the matter further with him, or to make sure that a Minister meets him to hear his constituents' views.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for co-ordination across Government was not addressed.

How: To Discuss The Matter Further, A Minister Meets Him

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Q3 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the difficulty and cost of washing facilities adaptations for businesses, potentially leading to exclusion of trans and disabled people.

Question

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's guidelines were to provide clarity. However, washing facilities adaptations will be difficult and costly for businesses, and providers such as Girlguiding risk potentially being sued for being inclusive. Small vulnerable minorities need our protection. How will the Minister monitor the impact of the guidance on trans and disabled people to ensure that they are not left without services and they are not scared to go out?

Answer from Olivia Bailey

I thank my hon. Friend for that important question. The code is clear that nobody should be left without the services they need. The EHRC is clear that it will monitor the impact of the code.

Answered
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Q4 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Standards & Ethics Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from concerns about the weaponisation of the Islamophobia definition to shut down free speech.

Question

The Government's Islamophobia definition is already being weaponised to shut down free speech, just as I warned it would. South Wales police tried to use it to effectively criminalise people for criticising Islam, which Ministers promised us time and again would not happen. Does the Minister understand how divisive that is?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

South Wales police has paused its plans. It is right that it has done so. There are no blasphemy laws in this country, but it is right that we take action against hatred, prejudice and racism wherever we find it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about understanding the division caused by the definition was not addressed.

How: South Wales Police Has Paused Its Plans

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Q5 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the trial of puberty-blocking drugs for children as young as 11, which could lead to infertility.

Question

Asking officers to record examples of an illegitimate criticism of Islam is nothing short of an assault on free speech. Let me try another issue: last night, Labour MPs voted to give children as young as 11 powerful puberty-blocking drugs that could leave them infertile for the rest of their lives.

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

When Dr Hilary Cass published her review, we endorsed all those recommendations, as did the Conservatives. An important part of what Dr Cass set out was that it is essential that healthcare is available to children and young people who are experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about stopping the trial was not addressed.

How: Endorsing All Those Recommendations

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