Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training her Department provides to job centre staff on the menopause.

The Department regularly runs events on the Menopause, with a combination of experts talking about the physical and psychological impacts and also colleagues sharing their own lived experience. These are aimed and marketed for both colleagues who may be experiencing the menopause as well as encouraging line managers and colleagues to also attend so that the department has as wide a knowledge base as possible.

The Department also has a thriving Menopause network made of up volunteers who work regularly and collaboratively with colleagues who head up the Wellbeing and Age portfolios as part of the People, Capability and Place directorate.

Our 37 district 50PLUS Champions utilise their knowledge and local links to support Work Coaches and employers to understand the characteristics of our customers and the issues that may affect them such as the impact of the menopause, helping them retain women’s skills and expertise.