Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Recognition

Wednesday 23 February 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osborne asked the Minister if steps would be taken to de-medicalise the process of obtaining a gender recognition certificate.
  • The Government concluded that no changes are necessary at this time based on the full range of views expressed during consultation.
  • The Minister confirmed that the no-fault divorce legislation being enacted will remove any obstacles related to spousal consent issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses the current medicalisation of the gender recognition certificate process for transgender individuals.

Question

If she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to de-medicalise the process of obtaining a gender recognition certificate. The Government have consulted on changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 but concluded that no changes are necessary at this time.

Answer from Mike Freer

The Government believe transgender people should live their lives as they wish and have concluded that no changes are necessary at this time based on the full range of views expressed during consultation. The current requirements in the Gender Recognition Act 2004 are considered correct.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask to de-medicalise the process was not directly addressed with a commitment or concrete action plan.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Women & Equalities
Context

A previous statement by the Minister for Equalities regarding spousal consent issues has changed from removing veto power to avoiding these issues. The question seeks clarity on this issue.

Question

On Monday, the Minister said the Government would remove the rule whereby a trans person's spouse has to consent to their gaining a gender recognition certificate. Yesterday, that had changed to helping to avoid spousal consent issues. Can the Minister confirm today that the Government will remove the veto power altogether?

Answer from Mike Freer

Yes, I used shorthand referring to a spousal veto. The no-fault divorce legislation being enacted will remove any obstacles related to this issue. If the advice is wrong and the hon. Lady says so, I will double-check it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for categorical confirmation was not directly answered; instead, a reference to no-fault divorce legislation was given as context.

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