Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

For Women Scotland: Supreme Court Judgment

Wednesday 9 July 2025 · 6 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The ruling brings clarity and confidence for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs.
  • The application of the Supreme Court ruling to services in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government to ensure compliance with the law.
  • I think the F-word could be used about whatever the Scottish Government have done-and that is "failure".

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Scotland Women & Equalities
Context

The Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 16, 2025, concerning single-sex spaces under the Equality Act 2010 and its implications for women's rights in Scotland.

Question

What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v. The Scottish Ministers on women in Scotland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

The ruling brings clarity and confidence for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs. Single-sex spaces are protected by law under Labour’s Equality Act 2010, and will always be protected by this Government alongside the rights of the trans community, as was stated by the Supreme Court.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address whether the Scottish Government is upholding the law or if specific actions are needed to comply with the ruling.

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Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Scotland Women & Equalities
Context

The Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 16, 2025, concerning single-sex spaces under the Equality Act 2010 and its implications for women's rights in Scotland.

Question

What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v. The Scottish Ministers on women in Scotland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

The ruling brings clarity and confidence for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs. Single-sex spaces are protected by law under Labour’s Equality Act 2010, and will always be protected by this Government alongside the rights of the trans community, as was stated by the Supreme Court.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address whether the Scottish Government is upholding the law or if specific actions are needed to comply with the ruling.

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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Scotland
Context

Joe Griffin, permanent secretary to the Scottish Government, was unable to provide specific actions when questioned about the Supreme Court ruling.

Question

Do the UK Government believe that the Scottish Government are failing to uphold the law?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

The application of the Supreme Court ruling to services in Scotland is of course a matter for the Scottish Government, and it is for the Scottish Government to ensure they fully comply with the law as it stands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State avoided stating whether the Scottish Government is upholding the law.

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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Scotland
Context

Joe Griffin, permanent secretary to the Scottish Government, was unable to provide specific actions when questioned about the Supreme Court ruling.

Question

Do the UK Government believe that the Scottish Government are failing to uphold the law?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

The application of the Supreme Court ruling to services in Scotland is of course a matter for the Scottish Government, and it is for the Scottish Government to ensure they fully comply with the law as it stands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State avoided stating whether the Scottish Government is upholding the law.

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Q3 Imogen Walker Lab Hamilton and Clyde Valley
Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government is facing criticism for their handling of the Supreme Court ruling, with concerns raised about compliance and clarity.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the SNP Government have made an absolute mess of this issue, in much the same way they mishandled the devolution settlement for NHS, education, and housing services?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

I think the F-word could be used about whatever the Scottish Government have done—and that is “failure”. When it comes to the elections in May 2026, the Scottish public will have to decide whether they require a third decade of the SNP Scottish Government or a change with Anas Sarwar as First Minister.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific issues raised about the Supreme Court ruling and instead shifted focus to political opinion on the SNP government's overall performance.

How: Shifting Focus, Political Criticism

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Q3 Imogen Walker Lab Hamilton and Clyde Valley
Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government is facing criticism for their handling of the Supreme Court ruling, with concerns raised about compliance and clarity.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the SNP Government have made an absolute mess of this issue, in much the same way they mishandled the devolution settlement for NHS, education, and housing services?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

I think the F-word could be used about whatever the Scottish Government have done—and that is “failure”. When it comes to the elections in May 2026, the Scottish public will have to decide whether they require a third decade of the SNP Scottish Government or a change with Anas Sarwar as First Minister.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific issues raised about the Supreme Court ruling and instead shifted focus to political opinion on the SNP government's overall performance.

How: Shifting Focus, Political Criticism

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