London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Minister Kemi Badenoch clashes with MPs over menopause law

Minister Kemi Badenoch clashes with MPs over menopause law

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch has rejected calls to make it illegal to discriminate against people going through the menopause.

A committee of MPs is demanding that menopause be made a "protected characteristic" under equalities law.

Ms Badenoch said people asked for "many things" to be protected in law such as "carers, single people, having ginger hair, being short".

But the government would not be changing the legislation, she told MPs.

She argued that women could use existing provisions in the Equalities Act 2010 to bring discrimination cases.

"The menopause can be dealt with alongside three existing ones - age, sex, and disability - because it is a health condition and many disabilities are health conditions. We have the laws in place."

The government has already rejected a women and equalities committee report calling for a consultation on making menopause a protected characteristic - and on trialling "menopause leave" in England.

Ms Badenoch said that decision had been made by her predecessor Maria Miller, but she agreed with it.


'Personal agendas'


In heated exchanges with fellow Conservative MP and committee chair Caroline Nokes, she said there was "no point" in a consultation because the government was "not bringing in new protected characteristics".

"Launching a consultation on something that we are not going to do would not be a good use of time or resources," she told Ms Nokes.

The minister, who is also business secretary, said "loads of people" wanted to use equalities law as "a tool for different personal agendas and interests".

"It's not what it is there for. it is anti-discrimination legislation as a shield to protect people who are at risk of serious discrimination."

Ms Badenoch also rejected the idea of a pilot for menopause leave, saying it was not the job of government to do something that employers could do anyway.


'Heath condition'


"I do not think creating another pilot on more leave is what is going to help women who have the menopause," she told the committee.

In another ill-tempered exchange, Ms Nokes questioned the minister on whether menopause could be classed as a disability in discrimination cases.

"The menopause is not a disability, however a particular woman's experience of the menopause which can be a health condition, can be so extreme as to qualify for a disability," the minister said.

Ms Badenoch also clashed with Labour's Carolyn Harris, accusing her speaking from a left-wing perspective and asking the MP not to "barrack" her as she gave her answers.

Ms Harris said her politics had absolutely nothing to do with the menopause debate and it was a politically mixed committee.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×