Minister blames 'slow' watchdog for trans guidance delay

"The 300-page document was drawn up by the EHRC after the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that legally a woman should be defined by biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act. The EHRC has to provide practical advice to businesses and services - such as counselling sessions for female domestic violence survivors, gyms, hospitals or shopping centres - about how this should work."

"In October the watchdog urged Phillipson to speed up her approval, saying some organisations were using old guidance, which is unlawful. The ruling said that for a space to be single-sex it can only be open to people of the same biological sex, otherwise it is effectively a mixed sex space. For example a trans woman a biological male who identifies as a woman - would not be able to use women's toilets and changing rooms."

"I asked the EHRC for information that I needed to inform that decision. "That unfortunately was slow in being forthcoming." She added: "I asked for the information you would expect routinely as part of this process, for example an equalities impact assessment, that the EHRC just checks that this doesn't mean a burden on business. "This doesn't have to be a long and drawn out process. I'm determined to do this properly but I absolutely am committed to making sure that wo"

Publication of new guidance on single-sex spaces has been delayed because the equalities watchdog was slow to provide requested information. A 300-page code of practice submitted in September offers practical advice after a Supreme Court ruling defined woman by biological sex for the Equality Act. The code directs businesses and services — including counselling for female domestic violence survivors, gyms, hospitals and shopping centres — on how to implement single-sex access. The ruling states single-sex spaces may be open only to people of the same biological sex, which would exclude trans women from women's toilets and changing rooms. The watchdog urged faster ministerial approval, warning of unlawful use of old guidance.

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