My partner and I are delighted to announce that we will be having a baby in the new year through surrogacy. It has been a really difficult time getting here, so we feel unbelievably lucky and happier than we ever imagined. We will be eternally grateful to our surrogate for […]
Women’s rights
Liz supports Menopause Bill in Parliament
Today I responded on behalf of the Labour Party to Carolyn Harris’s Menopause (Support and Services) Bill. This Bill aimed to make the Government develop a strategy for menopause support and services, including improving education around the menopause, and exempt hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from NHS prescription charges. There are […]
Liz speaks out against violence against women
Yesterday evening I appeared on ITV Central to talk about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and how it is a missed opportunity to take action on violence against women. Following the recent tragic death of Sarah Everard there has been a national demand for action to tackle violence […]
Liz speaks at East Midlands International Women’s Day event
It was a pleasure to speak at East Midlands Labour Party’s International Women’s Day event yesterday evening. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, women have been more likely to be made redundant, see their pay packets cut, and bear the burden of unpaid work in the home. We’ve seen these gender inequalities […]
Liz celebrates International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day took place on 8th March. It’s an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements – but also to recognise that true equality is a long way off. This year, the theme was ‘each for equal’ and how we are all individually responsible for our thoughts and actions. We can […]
Liz reaffirms commitment to the WASPI campaign
WASPI is a campaign group representative of 3.8 million women born in the 1950s who have been adversely affected by the mismanagement of increases to their State Pension age. As a result of changes made in 2011, women across the UK are now suffering financial hardship – with 3300 women […]
Liz votes for same sex marriage and abortion rights in Northern Ireland
On 9th July I voted to legalise same sex marriage and extend abortion rights in Northern Ireland if the Stormont Assembly has not been reconvened before October 21st. I was delighted that both amendments to the Northern Ireland (executive formation) Bill, tabled by my Labour colleagues Conor McGinn MP and […]
Read my latest Leicester Mercury column
In my latest Leicester Mercury column I argue that whilst I welcome measures announced in the draft Domestic Abuse Bill, on their own I don’t believe they are enough. I believe guaranteed long term funding is vital in ensuring every woman who has suffered from violence or abuse gets the […]
Liz visits local Asda to hear how they are supporting local people
On Friday I popped into our local Asda to hear about how the supermarket is helping to support local people. I heard all about their work supporting our local foodbanks and their Breast Friend campaign with Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care. One in every two women don’t check their […]
Liz champions diversity in STEM
On 24th October I discussed the importance of increasing diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with the Young Fabians. I think this issue is a matter of social justice and an economic imperative. Jobs and opportunities should be open to everyone, no matter where you are born, what […]
Liz supports equal rights for people in Northern Ireland
I am proud to have signed and voted for Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn’s amendment to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Function) Bill that could lead to reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion and marriage laws. The amendment says that in the absence of the Northern Ireland Assembly […]
Liz writes to Health Secretary about mesh implants
I have written to the Health Secretary on behalf of local constituents who raised concerns with me about vaginal mesh implants. Thousands of women across the country are dealing with complications after receiving mesh implants, which can include painful and damaging reactions. I have asked the Health Secretary to explain […]