06 March 2025

The 2024 General Election saw a record number of women elected to the House of Commons, reaching an all-time high of 40%.

In a 2023 report, House for Everyone, Fawcett Society found that 62% of women said that Parliament’s culture negatively impacts how they feel about being an MP compared to 34% of men.

Now six months in, and with the highest intake of women MPs ever, Fawcett Society wanted to check in on how they were faring.

The responses Fawcett Society received bear a stark resemblance to the 2023 findings. New MPs continue to cite issues around work-life balance - which particularly affect women - and the complex, often outdated procedures of Westminster, compounded by a lack of support.

Fawcett Society found a shared sentiment among the MPs regarding the overwhelming nature of the role. As one MP highlighted, the transition is incredibly daunting. One compared it to an “avalanche of information and demand.”

It is a steep learning curve for new MPs, with many describing the process of the House of Commons as “unfamiliar,” “archaic,” and “frustrating.” These complex rules must be understood quickly in order to succeed.

One MP candidly said, “I wish things were simpler, clearer, more transparent, fairer.” Such a call for reform is hardly excessive.

When asked about navigating the new environment, many MPs expressed confusion over the complexity of parliamentary procedures. They felt lost amid the logistical challenges of onboarding, opening offices, procuring IT equipment, and handling the deluge of responsibilities as employers, legislators, policy makers, media figures, and community champions.

There was a common feeling of being left to figure out the do’s and don’ts of Parliament on their own, with one MP stating that “the lack of support was unexpected.”

This General Election saw a higher turnover than any other UK election in modern history. With so many new faces in Parliament, all in desperate need of staff to manage backlogs of casework and guide them through the uncharted territory of legislation and parliamentary business, expressions of frustration and feelings of overwhelm must be taken seriously. Better-supported MPs mean a more functional democracy.

MPs also highlighted the lack of work-life balance, with one remarking that it was “very hard to have family time.”

The combination of long hours and insufficient support in Westminster creates a culture that renders the House of Commons inaccessible to many- particularly affecting women, who often shoulder the bulk of domestic responsibilities.

Regarding accessibility, new MPs must also contend with Westminster’s physical infrastructure. Some noted the “maze-like corridors and numerous stairs,” commenting that “the infrastructure struggles to meet the demands of a modern Parliament.”

As Parliament undergoes refurbishment and modernisation, it is critical to ensure that both the building and its procedures are accessible to everyone.

To support new MPs, Fawcett Society continues to develop the Women’s Caucus - a dedicated group where women MPs from different parties can share experiences and build supportive networks. It is hoped that this space will foster cross-party friendships and partnerships amid a chaotic and busy Westminster.

There are also positive developments. Despite the influx of new MPs, one interviewee noted that Parliament remains a friendly and collaborative place, with many new MPs building cross-party relationships around shared policy and legislative goals.

Even in the face of new procedures, surroundings, and routines, the MPs we spoke to expressed genuine gratitude for their roles, given the significance of the work.

The women MPs spoke of the honour and pride they feel in helping constituents with their cases, knowing they are making a tangible difference. Although they acknowledged the demands of the role, they felt energised by the impact their offices have on the day-to-day lives of those they represent.

“One of the loveliest things is when constituents tell you how happy they are that you’re their MP, or thank you for something you’ve raised in the House…or for the work your constituency team has done.” This sentiment was echoed by another MP, who stated, “becoming a Member of Parliament is a life-changing experience. It’s an opportunity to serve your community and make a difference.”

Although Westminster may now have more women than ever, our previous research and recent conversations with new MPs reveal that its structures and culture remain difficult to navigate, with a persistent lack of support.

From outdated procedures and logistical chaos to long hours that disproportionately impact women, it is evident that Parliament was not designed with everyone in mind. Yet, despite these barriers, women MPs are working hard for their constituents and shaping the world we live in. If we truly want a democracy that reflects and serves the people, we must dismantle the hidden obstacles that push women out. The corridors of power should not be corridors of exclusion.

This struggle is emblematic of the broader feminist movement’s fight for systemic change -underscoring the urgent need to confront and transform the institutional barriers that have long undermined gender equality.

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Read our House for Everyone Report 

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The JRSST Charitable Trust has supported this work in recognition of the importance of the issue. The facts presented and the views expressed in this piece are, however, those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Trust.