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“For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First Anniversary — [Graham Stringer in the Chair]
14 April 2026
Lead MP
Carla Lockhart
Upper Bann
DUP
Responding Minister
Olivia Bailey
Tags
EmploymentWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 12883
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Carla Lockhart raised concerns about “for women scotland” court ruling: first anniversary — [graham stringer in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Lockhart called on the Government to lay the EHRC's upda [4D [K updated code of practice before Parliament, provide guidance for workplaces [10D [K workplaces ensuring single-sex spaces are reserved for people of the same b [1D [K biological sex, and issue NHS-specific guidance on single-sex spaces. She u [1D [K urged immediate action to protect women's rights.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Carla Lockhart highlighted the confusion and misappl [7D [K misapplication of the For Women Scotland ruling in workplaces, hospitals, a [1D [K and sports centres. She cited numerous incidents where biological men are b [1D [K being prioritised over women's rights in female-only spaces despite the leg [3D [K legal clarity provided by the ruling. She expressed deep concern for the pe [2D [K personal toll on individuals like Jennifer Melle and the Darlington nurses [K who have faced disciplinary actions for upholding women's rights.
Caroline Johnson
Con
She feels a lack of political courage has delayed ne [2D [K new Government guidance, leaving individuals such as nurses and sports cent [4D [K centre staff to make decisions without clear legal backing, leading to flak [4D [K flak from disappointed people. Reflected on the biological differences between indi [4D [K individuals with a disorder of sexual differentiation and those who transit [7D [K transition from male to female, emphasizing the importance of accurate medi [4D [K medical care based on biological sex. Asked what would be the ideal situation if a man wal [3D [K walked into women's changing rooms; whether it should be illegal to stop hi [2D [K him or ask him to leave. Requested an intervention from another Member.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Ms Coutinho thanked the hon. Member for securing the [3D [K the debate and paid tribute to those involved in supporting single-sex spac [4D [K spaces, such as Jennifer Melle and nurses from Darlington who faced harassm [7D [K harassment. She criticised the Government's dithering and delay following t [1D [K the Supreme Court ruling that clarified biological sex under the Equality A [1D [K Act 2010. Ms Coutinho pointed out instances where diversity policies led to [2D [K to harmful consequences for women and girls, including silencing of teacher [7D [K teachers raising concerns about student behaviour or excluding white workin [6D [K working-class students in favour of black boys. Asked the Minister if all Government Departments are [3D [K are following the law, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to ask.
The Chair briefly intervened to remind Ms Goldman to [2D [K to conclude her comments, noting that she had answered the previous questio [7D [K question adequately.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
He congratulates the hon. Friend on securing the deb [3D [K debate and expresses hope that the guidance from the Minister for Women and [3D [K and Equalities will reflect biological facts understood by society.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
The MP expressed confusion over the debate on defini [6D [K defining biological sex in the UK Parliament. He highlighted that women's r [1D [K rights have been historically less and are now under threat due to uncertai [8D [K uncertainty around legal clarity after the For Women Scotland Ltd v. Scotti [6D [K Scottish Ministers ruling. The MP emphasised the importance of respecting S [1D [K Supreme Court rulings, particularly regarding the Equality Act 2010. He que [3D [K questioned why public sector entities, including the NHS, continue to spend [5D [K spend substantial amounts in legal battles rather than focusing on treatmen [8D [K treatment and patient care. He points out that companies opposing equal pay for [K women do not make it right to pay women less than men, highlighting the iss [3D [K issue of gender-based discrimination in employment. Does the right hon. Lady agree that the one-year del [3D [K delay in issuing guidance has discriminated against 51% of the population, [K causing stress and potential harm?
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Welcomed the Supreme Court judgment but expressed co [2D [K concern over the Government's sluggish response and fears about a different [9D [K different definition of womanhood in Northern Ireland under the Windsor fra [3D [K framework. He urged the Government to ensure a united application of laws a [1D [K across the UK.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supported his colleague's efforts in securing safety [6D [K safety for women and emphasized the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling in For [3D [K For Women Scotland as a victory for common sense. He highlighted the need t [1D [K to adhere to biological facts and legal decisions, criticizing delays by so [2D [K some entities like the Equality Commission.
Jonathan Hinder
Lab
Pendle and Clitheroe
Asked if it would be difficult for someone to determ [6D [K determine whether he should be in women's single-sex spaces.
Marie Goldman
Lib Dem
Chelmsford
Asked the hon. Gentleman to explain more about inter [5D [K intersex conditions and decisions related to intersex babies. Asked the hon. and learned Gentleman to reflect on h [1D [K how common sense has been wrong in the past, such as believing that the Ear [3D [K Earth was at the centre of the universe. Ms Goldman expressed concern over the legal uncertai [8D [K uncertainty and lack of guidance following the Supreme Court ruling, which [K has left trans, intersex, and non-binary people in a difficult position. Sh [2D [K She highlighted that trans individuals continue to be protected from discri [6D [K discrimination under the Equality Act but need clearer guidance on practica [8D [K practical implications. The draft code of practice proposed by the Equality [8D [K Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was criticized for creating an [K unworkable legal environment and increasing business costs and legal risks. [6D [K risks.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
She asks if there is a proposal to change the Equali [6D [K Equality Act 2010 given the opposition to its interpretation by some organi [6D [K organisations, questioning whether the EHRC's clarification aligns with the [3D [K the Supreme Court's ruling.
Tracy Gilbert
Lab
Edinburgh North and Leith
As a lesbian woman, she is concerned about the perpe [5D [K perpetuation of gender stereotypes. She questions whether services should b [1D [K be provided on the basis that trans women are trans women and trans men are [3D [K are trans men.
Government Response
Olivia Bailey
Government Response
It is a real honour to serve under your chairship, [K Mr Stringer. First, I thank the hon. Member for Upper Bann (Carla Lockhart) [9D [K Lockhart) for securing this important debate. The Supreme Court ruled that [K the terms man, woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological s [1D [K sex, regardless of gender recognition certificates. This Government upholds [7D [K upholds protections for separate and single-sex spaces based on biological [K sex while ensuring trans people's rights under the law are protected. We wi [2D [K will lay the code as soon as possible after the local elections, aiming for [3D [K for May. All Government Departments and their arm's length bodies have been [4D [K been carefully reviewing the ruling to ensure policies and guidance are leg [3D [K legally compliant. The Government remains committed to upholding women's ri [2D [K rights, including halving violence against women in a decade and delivering [10D [K delivering a new women's health strategy while protecting single-sex spaces [6D [K spaces and implementing the Supreme Court ruling.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.