Landmark action plans to help women thrive at work |
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Women are to benefit from employers taking robust action on the gender pay gap and menopause support, as the Minister for Women and Equalities commits to ensuring women can thrive at work this International Women’s Day. Employers with 250 or more employees will be encouraged to publish the steps they are taking to reduce their gender pay gap and support employees through menopause from April. Action plans for employers are part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, a landmark piece of legislation which ensures women can stay and progress in the workforce. Additional protections will be put in place including enhancing the rights of pregnant workers and women returning from maternity leave. Bridget Phillipson MP, the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating all that women bring to our proud nation, as well as committing to giving back to them. That’s why I am delighted to formally launch employer action plans, which are part of our commitment to ensure women can thrive at work and tackle the gender pay gap. |
Reduced water bills for low-income households |
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Hundreds of thousands of households will benefit from lower water bills after the Government today (Fri March 6th) announced a major reform of WaterSure. Low-income households who use high amounts of water can qualify to have their bills capped. They must have a water meter and either a specific medical condition or three or more children living at home. More than a quarter of a million households are already benefiting from the scheme, saving an average of £325 each – over a third of their typical bill. But changes set out today will expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits – meaning a further 53,000 low-income households will see significant savings. The reforms will also alter the way the price cap is determined, with most of the existing recipients seeing further savings of up to £100. Together the changes – the first since the scheme was introduced in 1999 – will mean around 300,000 households will see substantial help with their bills via WaterSure. |
Stronger protections for children with allergies in school |
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Life-saving allergy pens must be stocked by schools for the first time under new plans announced this week. The move will also see compulsory training for teachers and a requirement for each school to have a dedicated allergy policy. As well as saving lives, the new measures will help children stay in school, with 500,000 days of learning lost due to allergy-related illness or medical appointments in the last year alone. |
New help for communities with coastal and river flood risks |
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New guidance is available to help communities with local flood risk management. The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) have published new guides to help communities to maintain drainage, watercourses and flood defences. It provides a starting point for communities and authorities to work together to maintain local assets and reduce flood risk |
Solar panels on 100 schools |
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Classrooms and pupils are benefitting from lower energy bills thanks to Great British Energy-funded solar panels, as 100 schools and colleges have now completed their installations – with around 250 schools and colleges in total to have solar panels by Summer. These include five schools in the South East so far. The 250 schools and colleges are set to save up to an estimated combined £220 million over the lifetime of the solar panels, taking pressure off finances and securing more money to be reinvested in classrooms. |
