European Convention on Human Rights UK Obligations 2025-06-19
2025-06-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In the context of the Supreme Court’s judgment in the For Women Scotland case and public comments from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Zöe Franklin is concerned about potential legal divergence between domestic equality law and the UK's obligations under the European convention on human rights.
I thank the Solicitor General for her answer. In light of the Supreme Court’s judgment defining sex in the Equality Act 2010 as strictly biological, and public comments from the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggesting trans individuals may not be entitled to privacy protections under article 8, what steps are the Solicitor General and her office taking to ensure that domestic law remains fully aligned with the UK’s obligations under the European convention on human rights, particularly articles 3, 8 and 14? Do the Government intend to clarify or consolidate domestic equality law and the ECHR obligations, to avoid growing legal divergence?
As to the steps that the Law Officers are taking, I am afraid that I have to refer to the Law Officers’ convention. With regard to the hon. Member’s wider point and the Supreme Court’s ruling in the For Women Scotland case, the Government have been very clear that we will continue to support single-sex spaces, while also affirming the important rights that trans people have and continue to have under the Equality Act.
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Assessment & feedback
Refused to detail specific steps being taken due to Law Officers’ convention
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
A constituent, a woman suffering from schizophrenia, has been convicted under the fast-track justice system for not paying her TV licence during mental health difficulties. Luke Myer is seeking clarification and discussion about this case.
I want to ask about our compliance with article 14 with regard to the fast-track justice system. My constituent, a woman with schizophrenia, has been convicted of not paying her TV licence during mental health difficulties sparked by her mum’s mental illness. Will the Solicitor General meet me to discuss the single justice procedure and the way it is used in cases such as that?
I will indeed meet my hon. Friend to discuss that issue. I believe that the Ministry of Justice has recently consulted on the single justice procedure, and I am more than happy to discuss it with him.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy