Single-sex space guidance for organisations to be published after May elections

Single-sex space guidance for organisations to be published after May elections26 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJames MelleyHouse of CommonsEqualities minister The government intends to publish new guidance on single-sex spaces next month after elections on the 7 May, equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has said.Updated draft guidance was submitted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on Monday, but election rules mean the government is "unable to make further announcements on the matter at this time", Phillipson told MPs in a written statement.The watchdog's Code of Practice, which provides guidance to organisations on applying equalities law, was being redrafted after the Supreme Court ruled the definition of a woman under the Equality Act should be based on biological sex.A first draft was submitted for approval in September but it has since undergone changes.EHRC chair Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said the latest amendments were made after receiving a "narrow set of comments" from the government, and having considered consultation responses and legal advice.She said the amendments "aim to strengthen duty bearers' understanding of the law and how it applies across a range of the scenarios they encounter day-to-day".Stephenson said it would ensure "all service users are treated with dignity and respect, in line with the Equality Act".Phillipson said the government was taking "urgent action" to lay the guidance before Parliament after the local elections in England and national elections in Scotland and Wales on 7 May.The Commons does not return after the elections until the State Opening of Parliament on 13 May, before breaking again for recess on 21 May.Phillipson said the government supported the use of single-sex spaces based on biological sex, and that the Supreme Court ruling had made clear that protections for trans people were contained within the Equality Act.The EHRC&#x...