The Labour party has supported women’s rights and their fight for equality for many years, so that is why for International Women’s Day, Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and Shadow Secretary for Women and Equalities Anneliese Dodds are announcing new policies to help support women in the work force, with their main focus being on those women who are going through menopause.

A large proportion of those who remain unemployed are middle-aged women and those who are working struggle with the symptoms of menopause on a daily basis, which is damaging for them, their employers and our economy.

Research suggests that one in ten women leave the workforce due to their symptoms and it is estimated that one million could quit their jobs for the same reaon.

Therefore, the next labour Government will set out to tackle these issues faced by women in the workforce, in addition to furthering the commitments in the New Deal for Working People.

So, how would this work in practice?

• Employers must write action plans outlying how they are supporting their employees who are suffering from menopause and must publish them in order to make their staff aware of these plans.

• By March 30th every year following this, employers will be required to submit these plans to the Government portal along with and other reports that need to be submitted.

• The Government will also release some guidelines to help employers set out the action plan and what they can do to support and inform their employees effectively.