Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Discrimination against Trans People

Wednesday 24 June 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Coombes expressed concern over a trans woman constituent who feels her rights to live and work with dignity have been severely impacted.
  • Sarah Coombes reported that constituents identifying as trans are facing significant anxiety and harassment, leading to job loss and difficulty in finding new employment.
  • Vikki Slade highlighted similar issues faced by trans constituents, including feeling pushed out of public life and experiencing job loss due to customer harassment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns expressed by a constituent who feels that life for transgender individuals in Britain has become more difficult, particularly regarding employment opportunities and public spaces like toilets.

Question

I recently spoke to a trans woman at my coffee morning. She was in tears as she feels that life for trans people in Britain has gone backwards. She was always able to live and work in peace and dignity but feels her right to do so has been severely impacted, especially due to the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on toilets. Can the Minister reassure me and my constituent that this Government will fight to protect the rights of trans people in Britain?

Answer from Olivia Bailey

I am so sorry to hear from my hon. Friend about the experience of her constituent, and I recognise how much anxiety there is in the trans community at the moment. Let me be clear that trans people's rights against discrimination and harassment are protected in law—a fact underlined by the Supreme Court judgment. This Government are committed to defending and extending the rights of trans people in this country, including by equalising hate crime law and improving healthcare.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific request for assurance regarding employment opportunities or public spaces like toilets.

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Q2 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the anxiety and challenges faced by transgender individuals due to recent legal developments, including the Supreme Court judgment and Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance.

Question

My constituents who identify as trans are contacting me daily since the Supreme Court judgment and the code of practice was published. One has told me he feels entirely pushed out of public life and has had to leave his job due to customer harassment, making finding a new job nearly impossible. Does the Minister perceive this as an intended or unintended consequence of the draft guidance?

Answer from Olivia Bailey

I have said how greatly I recognise the significant anxiety felt by some in the trans community at the moment. The Supreme Court was extremely clear that trans people's rights and protections against discrimination and harassment are protected in law, and the Government will defend and extend trans people's rights.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address whether the situation is an intended or unintended consequence of recent legal developments.

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Q3 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the concerns of constituents contacting their MP since the Supreme Court judgment and the draft guidance on equality for transgender individuals.

Question

Since the Supreme Court judgment—and even more so since the code of practice was published—my constituents who identify as trans are contacting me daily. One has told me that he feels entirely pushed out of public life, and has had to leave his job due to customer harassment. He says finding a new job is nearly impossible. Does the Minister perceive this to be an intended or unintended consequence of the draft guidance, and will the Government give Parliament the opportunity to vote on it?

Answer from Olivia Bailey

I have said how greatly I recognise the significant anxiety felt by some in the trans community at the moment. The Supreme Court was extremely clear that trans people's rights and protections against discrimination and harassment are protected in law, and the Government will defend and extend trans people's rights. The draft code of practice is before the House for scrutiny, and Members can apply for additional debates on the subject if they wish.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address whether these challenges are intended or unintended consequences.

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