Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of amending the Equalities Act 2010 to make menopause a protected characteristic.

The Government welcomes the recent inquiry into the menopause by the Woman and Equalities Select Committee. As we have made clear, women experiencing the menopause already benefit from protection in the Equality Act 2010. The protected characteristics of sex, age and disability are all potentially relevant in offering this protection in the field of employment.