Speeches by Whittome.

“The interim report rightly recognises what disabled people have long been saying, which is that PIP is a broken system. What assurances can the Minister give that the recommendations of the final report will be grounded in disabled people’s right to social security, right to independent living and right to participate …”

“The continued expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied west bank and East Jerusalem is having a profound impact on Palestinian communities, where military violence and attacks by extremist idealogues are spiralling. Poverty is pervasive and economic development is almost non-existent thanks to Israel’s …”

“I have been contacted in recent weeks by many constituents who are desperately worried for their loved ones in Kashmir, and who are struggling to reach them because of the communications blockade. Does the Minister agree that such communication shutdowns, which have also been used by Indian-occupied Kashmir, are often …”

“Minister, the Government have made halving VAWG a key mission. What was your role, as Minister for Women, in the strategy?”

“First, I want to thank the families who were bereaved and harmed by Nottingham University hospitals NHS trust—some of the most courageous and selfless people I have had the privilege of knowing, including my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh). They have for years relentlessly pursued the truth,…”

“That is good to hear. Can you say a little more about the steps that the Department for Education is taking to reduce misogynistic attitudes and harmful behaviour towards women and girls? How are you assessing the impact of this work?”

“Why is tackling violence against women and girls being led at Minister of State level rather than Secretary of State level? I know that you are also Secretary of State for Education, but what does that say about the level of priority afforded to this mission?”

“I know that Refuge and other sector organisations are concerned that the bold aims of the VAWG strategy have not been matched with the level of funding that would be required to deliver meaningful, widespread change. What would you say to that?”

“On 21 May, the Government laid the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft code of practice for services, public functions and associations before the House. Since then, a litany of trans-led organisations, human rights groups, charities and trade unions have come out in opposition, citing the harm it poses to tra…”

“T4. We all know that social care is in crisis, with huge staff shortages, unmet needs and councils’ finances being pushed to the brink, so it is disappointing that the King’s Speech did not contain anything on social care. Given that the full Casey review is not expected until 2028 and that implementation is estimated …”

“Very briefly, just going back to third spaces in the NHS, obviously availability of side rooms is very limited. Would a trans person whose care is delayed while finding an available third space side room for them be able to claim gender reassignment discrimination?”

“Let me finish, please. Specifically on the elements of physique, physical appearance, what is it specifically: is it height, build, hairy legs, face shape?”

“That already happens on a case-by-case basis, though, and has done for many decades.”

“T4. We all know that social care is in crisis, with huge staff shortages, unmet needs and councils’ finances being pushed to the brink, so it is disappointing that the King’s Speech did not contain anything on social care. Given that the full Casey review is not expected until 2028 and that implementation is estimated …”

“It strikes me that these are the same stereotypes that women have been trying to escape. You have not stated where in the Supreme Court judgment this is required, and that is because it is not actually in the judgment; it is purely a product of the EHRC, is it not? Do you agree with the Minister who told the House last…”

“Your code suggests that employees of a business should enforce restrictions based on evidence such as, “The individual’s physique or physical appearance, behaviour or concerns raised by other service users.” Can you please define specific elements of physique, physical appearance and behaviour that you would suggest ar…”

“Going specifically back to the risks that the OEO impact assessment highlights, do you not think that is incredibly serious? This is a group that is already at disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assaults, which is now being put at increased risk because of the actions of a body that is supposed to stand up fo…”

“Answer the question about the Minister, please.”

“The OEO’s impact assessment says that trans people could face a disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assault as a result of this code. What is your reaction to that?”

“The EHRC code of practice fails everyone. It effectively pushes trans people out of public life, it subjects all women to gender policing based on stereotypes, and it does not provide clarity to organisations that want to be trans-inclusive. For example, a charity that wants to put on a women’s coffee morning that is o…”