Changing Places Toilets 2025-07-22

Opened the debate

Last Saturday, 19 July was Changing Places Awareness Day. I am grateful to secure this debate on the importance of accessible toilet facilities for individuals with profound disabilities and their carers. The Changing Places campaign has worked relentlessly over two decades to seek provision for approximately a quarter of a million people who lack public access to these essential facilities. These toilets enable anyone, regardless of disability, to go about daily activities such as shopping, attending hospital appointments, socialising, and travelling with dignity and privacy. I have personal experience raising a child with cerebral palsy and understand the critical need for more Changing Places toilets across the country. The campaign has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in central London, but we still fall short of adequate coverage. While there are now 2,609 registered facilities nationwide, many constituencies lack necessary provision, as evidenced by my own constituency and others highlighted by fellow MPs. I call upon the government to provide more funding and enforce policy measures to ensure better accessibility for all.

Government Response

The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities acknowledged the importance of accessible toilet facilities for individuals with profound disabilities and their carers. The previous Government's amendments to the Building Regulations in 2010 made it compulsory for some new large buildings to have Changing Places toilets installed. Additionally, a fund of £30.5 million was allocated in 2023 specifically for this purpose. While progress has been made, particularly in London and the home counties, there is still much work to be done across the country. The Department continues to work closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that more Changing Places toilets are installed where needed, including providing training and support for staff to properly direct people to these facilities. I am grateful to my hon. Friend Daniel Francis for securing this debate and setting a beautiful tone at the start of his speech. He spoke with enormous power as a parent of a child who requires full-time care and someone with a long record of working with local groups. The lack of appropriate toilet provision can be the deciding factor in whether people leave their homes or visit town centres, making what should be normal activities stressful and exclusionary for many. Changing Places toilets provide equipment, space, and security needed by more than 250,000 people across the UK, with funding supporting the installation of 483 new facilities across 220 local authority areas. The fund has been a jumping-off point for best practice guidance and mandatory technical design training to local authorities. Investment has targeted gaps in provision, particularly in rural towns and coastal communities. The Department for Transport made available more than £2.5 million of funding to install Changing Places toilets at motorway service areas and railway stations across the country. The Government’s inclusive transport strategy aims to improve accessibility and ensure equal access to the transport network for disabled people by 2030. My hon. Friend's suggestion about a single integrated app is important, and I am keen to meet him to discuss this further. The Minister acknowledges the importance of cross-border integration in the UK and will work with devolved Governments on this issue. Since January 2021, new large public buildings must include Changing Places toilets under revised building regulations, which will naturally provide these facilities as developments take place. While there is still more to do, particularly for rural communities, I will reflect on how to address their needs. The Minister recognises the tireless campaigning of individuals, charities such as Muscular Dystrophy UK, and local authorities that have been progressive in this space. He personally thanks Martin Jackaman from Nottingham for his early advocacy on this issue nearly 15 years ago. Raising awareness is crucial so that people do not unwittingly impact those who need accessible spaces. The Minister emphasises the importance of continuing to campaign and fight for improvements, with the Government committed to being a partner in these efforts.