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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9 current inquiries

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

View all inquiries
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
Report:
Published
On 15 July 2026
Govt. response:
Due by
On 15 September 2026
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
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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Racism and racial inequality within the homelessness system needs recognition and action from Government
The Women and Equalities Committee has published a report on Black people's experiences of homelessness
15 July 2026
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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

Upcoming events

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Wednesday 2 September 2026
2:00pm Private
2:20pm Public
Equality at work: flexible working and disability - Oral evidence 2 September 2026
2:20pm
  • Dr Paula Holland (Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Lancaster University)
  • Professor Heejung Chung (Director, King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King's College London)
  • Professor Jane Parry (Professor of Work and Employment and Co-Director of the Work Futures Research Centre at University of Southampton)
  • Professor Daniel Wheatley (Director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre at University of Birmingham)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Latest publications

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Correspondence from Minister for Equalities and Minister for Social Security and Disability re Equal pay and pay discrimination, dated 14 July 2026
Work Work of the Minister for Women and Equalities (Regular evidence sessions)
Open PDF
133KB
HC 386
Correspondence
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology re Women in Tech Taskforce, dated 6 July 2026
Open PDF
226KB
Correspondence
Correspondence from Minister for Women and Equalities re Govt Equality Impact Assessment on the EHRC Code of Practice, dated 8 July 2026
Work Work of the Minister for Women and Equalities (Regular evidence sessions)
Open PDF
100KB
HC 386
Correspondence

Useful information

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