Oral Answers to Questions

The Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, responded to tabled questions on the impact of energy costs on disabled people. She acknowledged the concerns around the additional costs faced by many disabled households and stated that the Government is working closely with energy suppliers to ensure vulnerable customers are supported. The Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Bobby Dean, raised the issue of disabled households facing significantly higher energy bills, and the Minister encouraged those in need of extra support to sign up to the priority services register. The Minister for Women and Equalities, Anneliese Dodds, then responded to questions on the Government's steps to tackle violence against women and girls. She outlined the work being done across government, including placing domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms and providing free legal advocates for adult victims of rape. The Conservative MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, Mims Davies, questioned the ambition to merely "halve" violence against women and girls, arguing that the total eradication of this criminality should be the goal. The Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, answered questions on the Government's steps to tackle the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on future earnings. She highlighted the Government's "opportunity mission" to ensure every child thrives in education and achieves their ambitions, regardless of their background. The Labour MP for Clwyd North, Gill German, and the Labour MP for Worthing West, Dr Beccy Cooper, raised concerns about the challenges faced by their constituents, and the Minister assured them of the Government's commitment to working closely with the devolved administrations. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, responded to a question from the Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West, Mr Connor Rand, on steps to end discrimination against disabled people. He congratulated a constituent of the MP, Joseph Adams, for his remarkable achievements in raising funds for disability sports and employment programmes. The Minister for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth, answered questions on the implementation of the recommendations of the Cass review, which examined services for children and young people with gender dysphoria. She reiterated the Government's commitment to implementing the review's evidence-based recommendations in full. The Minister for Women and Equalities, Anneliese Dodds, responded to questions on steps to support women in the workplace. She outlined the Government's plans to provide protections from maternity discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as measures to address the gender pay gap and strengthen equal pay protections. During the Topical Questions session, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, highlighted the Government's work to enhance rights through upcoming legislation on race, disability, equality, employment rights, and banning conversion practices. The Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, Dame Meg Hillier, raised the case of her constituent, Valerie Forde, who was murdered by her partner, and the need for further support for women from ethnic, racial, or cultural backgrounds.