Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the number employees reducing working hours due to the menopause and (b) the subsequent effect of that on the gender pay gap.

The Department does not collect data on the impact of the menopause on employees leaving the workforce or reducing their hours. However, with women over 50 representing the fastest growing segment of the workforce, there are few workplaces where the menopause is not being experienced by staff.

The Minister for Employment commissioned the roundtable on older workers to look at the menopause and employment as an issue, emphasising the importance of the support and understanding by employers. An independent menopause and the workplace report was published and the Government’s response was outlined in July.

The national gender pay gap has fallen significantly under this government - and by approximately a quarter in the last decade. In order to continue making progress we need to understand the real barriers faced by everyone in the workplace and ensure everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.