Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) impact and (b) of women taking early retirement due to menopause symptoms.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not collect data on the impact of the menopause on employees taking early retirement.

Too many women feel forced either to leave work, reduce their hours, or take a step back in their careers, because of the menopause. In July 2021, the Minister for Employment commissioned the roundtable on older workers to look at the menopause and employment, emphasising the importance of support and understanding by employers. An independent menopause and the workplace report was published and the Government’s response was outlined. Alongside this, the Women’s Health Strategy sets out a range of commitments including encouraging employers to implement evidence-based workplace support and introduce workplace menopause policies.