Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Coombes and Olivia Bailey

Wednesday 24th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

1. What steps she is taking to help tackle discrimination against trans people.

[The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)]

Trans people deserve to live their life with dignity and respect, and without shame. This Government are committed to protecting and advancing the rights of trans people, including by equalising hate-crime legislation, delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, and improving gender healthcare services.

[Sarah Coombes]

I recently spoke to a trans woman at my coffee morning. She was in tears, as she feels that life for trans people in Britain has gone backwards. She was always able to live and work in peace and dignity, but feels that her right to do that has been severely impacted, and she is worried about her chances of getting new jobs because of the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on, for example, toilets. Can the Minister reassure me and my constituent that this Government will fight to protect the rights of trans people in Britain?

[Olivia Bailey]

I am so sorry to hear from my hon. Friend about the experience of her constituent, and I recognise how much anxiety there is in the trans community at the moment. Let me be clear that trans people’s rights against discrimination and harassment are protected in law—a fact that was underlined in the Supreme Court judgment. This Government are committed to defending and extending the rights of trans people in this country, including by equalising hate crime law and improving healthcare, and through our trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Coombes and Olivia Bailey

Monday 20th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

T6. Five primary schools in Sandwell now have free breakfast clubs, including St Mary Magdalene, which I visited earlier this year, and I was delighted to hear the Secretary of State announce that 2,000 more primary schools would benefit next year. Can the Minister say more about how the free breakfast clubs in primary schools that Labour has introduced are helping children and families across our country?

[The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)]

Breakfast clubs give children a great start to the day. They drive improvements in behaviour, attendance and attainment, and they can save families up to £450 a year. I congratulate my hon. Friend and the schools in her constituency on their efforts, and I look forward to more and more children benefiting as we continue our roll-out.