Welfare Reform

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 30th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

We all agree that the welfare system needs reform but many of us in this place believe that changes to disability support should not take place without listening to disabled people’s voices and experiences. Over the last few days, I have been hopeful that the Government have shown strength in listening and moving on what they have heard. However, I have a question on sequencing. What is the logic of making changes for future claimants before finishing the Timms review, which is now to be co-produced with disabled people? Could this lead to not just two tiers but three: existing claimants; new claimants, who will lose out; and post Timms review claimants?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 18th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

Women are waiting up to 10 years for a diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis. Our Women and Equalities Committee report recommended a maximum wait of two years, which is still a long time to live with intense pain and fertility decline, but it would be an improvement. Given that reproductive health issues cost the UK economy £11 billion a year, the sooner conditions are treated, the sooner women can get on with their lives. Does the Minister agree that investing in women’s health is essential, and how is she raising the importance of the women’s health strategy with her colleagues, including the Health Secretary?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 7th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

We all want to break down barriers to opportunity. However, it seems that one sizable part of our workforce is being ignored, and that is women. Women missing work due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts and other complications cost the economy £11 billion a year. Fixing this would save more than double the amount that is to be spent on the unpalatable proposed welfare cuts for disabled people. Does the Minister agree that improving women’s health will break down a huge barrier to work, and if so, how is she working with other Departments to fix this?

Point of Order

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 19th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The shadow Minister for Women, the hon. Member for East Grinstead and Uckfield (Mims Davies), just before Prime Minister’s questions, stated at the Dispatch Box that imam Adam Kelwick posted that he prayed for victory of Hamas over Israel. That was totally inaccurate. He made absolutely no mention, in the post to which she referred, of Hamas or against Israel; that was added wrongly by the shadow Minister. He, in fact, called for prayers of peace. The truth is that Adam has spent years working on countering extremism and even uniting people through food and conversations when rioters came to attack his local mosque in Liverpool last year. I ask that the hon. Member correct the record, and I remind her that should she have made such statements outside the House, there would possibly be legal action. What advice can you give to Members to ensure that they do not abuse parliamentary privilege by slandering people?

[Mr Speaker]

I am not responsible for hon. Members’ questions, or for Ministers’ or shadow Ministers’ answers. I do not want to extend this question, but I can assure the hon. Lady that the Table Office will be able to advise her on how to pursue the matter. I am sure, without doubt, that it is on the record and that people will reflect on that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 19th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Select Committee.

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

The Minister and many colleagues in this place will be aware of the groundbreaking new Netflix programme “Adolescence”. It is chilling, but is rightfully forcing a national conversation about the dangerous content seen by young men and boys, with fatal consequences. Given the important role that schools play in preventing violence against women and girls, will the Minister provide an update on what is being done with the Department for Education to counter misogyny and extreme violence, in order to enable a safe future for young boys and girls?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 5th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

It is the beginning of LGBT History Month. Trans people across the UK are struggling to access healthcare and finding it difficult to go about their lives with dignity. As their identity comes under constant attack from powerful people across the world, progress cannot be taken for granted. Will the Minister reconfirm the Government’s commitment to the entire LGBTQ+ community and outline what steps are being taken to engage with LGBT people in the UK? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Please do not do that, because I have to get—[Interruption.] No, it is no use shrugging your shoulders at me. I have to get all the Members in. If you do not want other colleagues to get in, please tell them. I do.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Owen and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 13th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

[Sarah Owen]

I am sure that many of us will welcome commitments from the Government to remove barriers to work for disabled people, but disability charities have outlined concerns about the Government’s plans for work capability assessment reform and changes to personal independence payments and the Access to Work scheme. Will the Minister please commit to working with disability charities to ensure that any changes to those schemes, including any proposed by the previous Government, are made alongside consultation with the people those policies will affect?