The Menopause. We are talking and understanding more and more about this key time of a women’s life and its impact, and it is definitely about time. 1 in 4 women are leaving the work force due to serious symptoms resulting from the menopause. Instead of losing this wealth of experience from the workplace, they should be supported to remain in employment if this is their wish. It was therefore, with great pleasure that I chaired last week, in my capacity as Minister at the DWP, the latest Menopause Roundtable discussion which was in Swansea following on from Southampton and London and soon to be in Eastbourne and Derby. This focused on how to improve support for both perimenopausal and menopausal women in the workplace by employers, hearing about the challenges they face and to get insights into what the Government can do to help businesses provide this much needed assistance. I’m looking forward to carrying this work forward.
As Parliament usually sits for 36 weeks a year, I’m busy up in Westminster Monday to Thursday so Summer Recess is a great opportunity for me to get out and about more in the area. Last week, it was great to meet more, local hardworking, independent businesses in Burgess Hill. Martin Haslam, from Keymer Haslam, has been in the town many years and it was lovely to catch up with him over a cuppa at the brilliant Up Market 22 café and chat to Scott and Darren about their special and unique venue that also supports other local traders. Another innovative business is Once Upon a Boutique where it was great to see the amazing transformation Becky has made to these premises -offering some fabulous party packages from mini manicures, hair styling and much more for your little princess and their friends.
Many concerned constituents contacted me about the fact they’d only had three weeks to respond to the ticket office consultation. I’m very pleased it has been extended for another five weeks until 1st September. Share you views -either via the consultation response form here: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/ticket-office-consultation/ or by emailing ticketoffice.GTR@transportfocus.org.uk