Carol Vorderman among menopause campaigners to give evidence to Commons committee
The Women and Equalities Committee will take evidence from a panel of menopause experts and campaigners, including Carol Vorderman and Mariella Frostrup, in a follow up session to the Committee’s Menopause and the Workplace report.
Witnesses will discuss the Government’s response to the Committee’s report and current issues such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) supply, pre-payment certificates, and how to support women going through the menopause in the workplace.
Meeting details
Chair Caroline Nokes described the Government response as a “missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of talented and experienced women from leaving the workforce”.
The Committee invited Maria Caulfield, Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy and Minister for Women, to appear before the Committee to discuss the Government’s plans for action in this area, but the Minister refused the invitation.
Of the 12 recommendations put forward, the Government accepted one, partly accepted six and rejected five.
Rejected recommendations include a consultation on amending the Equality Act to include menopause as a new protected characteristic; developing model menopause policies for employers; and piloting a menopause leave scheme in the public sector.
Where the Government accepted the Committees recommendations, fully or partially, there is little commitment to any new work in this area.