The Policy Liaison Group on Workplace Wellbeing welcomes Dr Beccy Cooper’s outreach to ministers following engaging roundtable highlighting numerous next steps for policymakers and employers alike.
Labour MP, Dr Cooper, has written to government ministers following her co-chairing of the Policy Liaison Group’s roundtable on women’s wellbeing. Participants in the July meeting called for stronger workplace action on reproductive health, caring responsibilities, leadership, and low-paid work.
In her letter to the Ministers for Women & Equalities and Employment, the MP for Worthing West stressed that the gender health gap remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the UK workforce. She praised the PLG for convening a wide range of stakeholders to shape practical recommendations following the government’s flagship policy, the Employment Rights Bill, which returns to the House of Commons for consideration of amendments today.
The roundtable underlined that support for women’s health must not be limited to large corporations. Small and medium-sized employers require clear guidance and minimum standards if progress is to be shared fairly across the economy. The PLG is due to publish new ‘Duty of Care Guidelines’ at the end of this year to provide a consistent framework for employers and government alike.
Dr Beccy Cooper MP said: “The Policy Liaison Group is already proving its value as a space where employers, experts, and parliamentarians can come together to tackle issues too often left at the margins. Our recent roundtable on women’s wellbeing underlined just how urgent it is to close the gender health gap, and I am grateful to the Group for bringing such a wide range of voices to the table.”
“Participants were clear about the areas where progress is most needed: reproductive health, caring responsibilities, stronger leadership and workplace culture, and ensuring that women in low-paid or insecure roles are not left behind. These concerns go to the heart of fairness and fulfilment at work, mental and physical health, and the resilience of our economy and society.”
“One of the strongest conclusions from our discussion was that support for women’s health cannot be the preserve of large corporations. Small and medium-sized employers need clear guidance and consistent standards if we are to see genuine change across the labour market. I look forward to both hearing from ministers on how these vital issues will be taken forward and to the Group’s Duty of Care Guidelines later this year, which can provide a practical framework for government and employers alike.”
Gethin Nadin, Chair of the Policy Liaison Group on Workplace Wellbeing, said: “I was so incredibly heartened to see a letter from Dr Beccy Cooper MP. Her thoughts, which she has so diligently passed on to the Minister for Women & Equalities and the Minister for Employment, are a powerful testament to the impact of our work. Dr Cooper’s letter, and the work that informed it, perfectly encapsulates the very reason we founded the Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on Workplace Wellbeing.
“It’s humbling to see our contributions making their way up the chain and helping to shape progressive policies in this way, especially as we mark the PLG’s one-year anniversary. When I was first asked to chair this group, I was concerned about our ability to truly effect change. Now, as our reputation in Westminster grows and we get increasing support from MPs like Dr Cooper, it’s clear that we are making a tangible difference. This is a moment of real hope and inspiration.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr Cooper for her support and for using her platform to highlight these critical issues. I also want to thank all the other MPs, peers, employers, and organisations who have supported our mission and continue to do so. We are energised by this progress and look forward to working closely with parliamentarians like Dr Cooper over the next year to drive forward a consolidated framework of wellbeing standards.
“Together, we will continue to drive better outcomes for employees, empower employers, and strengthen the economic output of our entire country.”
