Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Trans People

Wednesday 3 September 2025 · 4 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

  • Trans people must have access to safe provisions and appropriate services, but the government follows the Supreme Court ruling basing single-sex provision delivery on biological sex.
  • The government aims to bring forward a draft Bill in accordance with its manifesto commitment to ban conversion practices but did not provide a specific timeline.
  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for addressing issues of misinterpretation of single-sex exemptions of the Equality Act by public bodies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Sollom Lib Dem St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
Women & Equalities
Context

Following the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland v. Scottish Ministers, many trans individuals are facing legal challenges regarding single-sex spaces despite having completed all legal processes for gender recognition.

Question

Many trans people with gender recognition certificates have followed all legal processes in good faith and made legally binding commitments to live in their acquired gender. Now they find themselves denied access to services aligned with that gender, creating a contradiction between legal obligations. How will the Minister resolve these contradictory legal obligations and provide immediate support for the trans community?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Trans people must have access to safe provisions and appropriate services. However, following the Supreme Court ruling, biological sex is the basis for single-sex provision delivery. The government acknowledges the challenges faced by trans individuals but asserts that upholding legal protections as set forth in Labour’s Equality Act 2010 remains a priority.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide specific actions to address the contradictions in legal obligations or immediate support for the trans community.

How: Change Of Subject

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Q2 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Women & Equalities
Context

The government has committed to a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, which are considered abhorrent and harmful.

Question

When will the government introduce legislation for a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

We are committed to bringing forward a draft Bill in accordance with our manifesto commitment. The government aims to ensure that abhorrent practices such as conversion therapy have no place in society, but no specific timeline or date was provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister acknowledged the commitment but did not provide a concrete timeframe for introducing the draft Bill.

How: Change Of Subject

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Q3 Rebecca Paul Con Reigate
Women & Equalities
Context

The Equality and Human Rights Commission confirmed that at least 19 public bodies have misrepresented the law on single-sex spaces, leading to breaches of the Equality Act 2010.

Question

Has the minister been informed which public bodies are misrepresenting the law, and how can women and girls regain confidence in these organizations?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Results from a call for input by the previous government showed that while most cases followed the law, some examples misinterpreted single-sex exemptions of the Equality Act. It is for the independent regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to follow up on these issues through appropriate processes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not confirm whether specific public bodies were informed or what actions will be taken to restore confidence among women and girls.

How: Change Of Subject

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Q4 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Women & Equalities
Context

The interim EHRC guidance has caused confusion, leading to cases where trans individuals are denied access to facilities aligned with their gender identity.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that parliamentary scrutiny is needed once final guidance from the EHRC is published to ensure clarity and security for trans people?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Trans people and women deserve appropriate access to safe spaces. The government has not seen advanced versions of interim updates from the EHRC but will ensure full consideration once the final draft updated code is received.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not confirm whether parliamentary scrutiny would be conducted upon receipt of the final guidance.

How: Change Of Subject

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