Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 2:20 pm ar 25 Tachwedd 2022.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Nickie Aiken Nickie Aiken Ceidwadwyr, Cities of London and Westminster 2:20, 25 Tachwedd 2022

I thank the shadow Minister for his support. I put on record the support that I have received across the House. My friend Alex Davies-Jones has been particularly supportive; I know the personal journey that she has had. I have been really touched by the support from Members of every party in this place.

Some people surveyed by Fertility Matters at Work said that they feared that undertaking fertility treatment would be held against them, that they would not be considered for the next promotion or that they would face redundancy. When they did have a conversation with their employers, many felt that it was used against them when future opportunities and progressions arose.

On my journey looking into the rights of those who undertake fertility treatment, I have been contacted by people across the country, especially women. They all said the same: once it was out in the open that they were undertaking fertility treatment or even thinking about it, they were sidelined for promotion or did not get the extra project that they had hoped for, because it was thought that they might not be around so much. It was thanks to a constituent of mine that I came to the subject; I am afraid she has to remain anonymous because of her situation with her employer in the City of London.