Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps the UK Menopause Taskforce has taken to support women in the workplace undergoing menopause.

The Menopause Taskforce was established by DHSC to bring together ongoing work to improve holistic support and care for menopause. So far it has focused on research and evidence on the menopause.

In July 2021, DWP asked members of the 50 PLUS Roundtable on older workers to look at the important issue of menopause and employment given the impact menopause can have on women’s working lives, particularly in the latter stages of their careers. An independent ‘menopause and the workplace’ report was published later in 2021 and the Government’s response was outlined in July 2022.

The Government has again committed, in its response to recommendation 6 of the Women and Equalities Select Committees report: Menopause and the Workplace, they will appoint a DWP Menopause Employment Champion. They will work with the Women’s Health Ambassador on the issue of menopause and employment, and drive forward work with employers on menopause workplace issues and to spearhead the proposed collaborative employer-led campaign as outlined in the independent report.