Committees

Women and Equalities Committee

Commons Select Committee

The Women and Equalities Committee examines the work of the Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO). It holds Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross Government activity on equalities. It also scrutinises the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

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11 current inquiries

Inquiries allow committees to consider oral and written evidence on a particular topic. They usually result in the publication of a report.

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Equality at work: flexible working and disability
Opened 30 April 2026
Beyond participation: Routes into sport for girls and women
Opened 26 March 2026
Experiences of women in live comedy
Opened 19 March 2026
Black homelessness
Opened 20 November 2025
Egg donation and freezing
Opened 12 November 2025
Reproductive health conditions: girls and young women
Report:
Published
On 4 March 2026
Opened 24 July 2025
Misogyny: the manosphere and online content
Opened 8 May 2025
Health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures
Report:
Published
On 18 February 2026
Govt. response:
Overdue
Since 18 April 2026
Opened 22 April 2025
Female genital mutilation (FGM)
Report:
Published
On 12 September 2025
Govt. response:
Published
On 2 December 2025
Opened 31 January 2025
Gendered Islamophobia
Report:
Published
On 30 January 2026
Govt. response:
Published
On 12 May 2026
Opened 11 December 2024
Community cohesion
Opened 3 December 2024

Non-inquiry work

Regular evidence sessions
Some committees take evidence from certain officeholders or organisations on a regular basis outside the structure of an inquiry.
Non-inquiry sessions
Non-inquiry sessions are brief packages of work that will not necessarily result in a report. They may be used to revisit previous inquiry topics or take evidence on a topical matter.
Pre-appointment hearings
People nominated to certain public offices may be examined by a committee to assess their suitability and plans for the role.

Latest news

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WEC Chair calls out Health Minister’s delay on banning BBLs and other harmful cosmetic procedures
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has today published a letter from Health Minister Karin Smyth following the delay in Government responding to the Committee’s report on Cosmetic procedures.
12 June 2026
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WEC warns against ‘financial half measures’ for women’s health
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has warned against ‘financial half measures’ for improving women’s health as the Government publishes the response to WEC’s report.
26 May 2026
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MPs seek to hear from funny women as they launch call for evidence on experiences of women in live comedy
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) is today (Friday, 1 May) launching a new call for written evidence on the experiences of women in live comedy.
1 May 2026

Upcoming events

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Wednesday 15 July 2026
2:00pm Private
2:20pm Public
Equality at work: flexible working and disability - Oral evidence 15 July 2026
2:20pm
  • Clare Ogden (Head of Support Services at Action for ME)
  • Patricia Stapleton (Senior Policy Manager at Arthritis UK)
  • Fazilet Hadi MBE (Head of Policy, Advice and Information at Disability Rights UK)
  • Alison Thwaite (Head of Employment Services at The Down's Syndrome Association)
  • James Taylor (Executive Director of Strategy, Impact and Social Change at Scope)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Latest publications

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Correspondence from Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) re, follow up from oral evidence session on 9 June, 2 July 2026
Work Work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) (2026-27) (Regular evidence sessions)
Open PDF
486KB
HC 174
Correspondence
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, re Launch of the women in research charter, dated 30 June 2026
Open PDF
127KB
Correspondence
Correspondence from Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, re Domestic murder sentencing, dated 30 June 2026
Open PDF
190KB
Correspondence

Useful information

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