UK Government Deliberates on New Guidance for Single-Sex Spaces
Published 20 November 2025
Highlights
- The UK government is reviewing new guidance on single-sex spaces, emphasizing the need for careful consideration to ensure both women's safety and transgender rights.
- The guidance, crafted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), follows an April Supreme Court ruling defining 'woman' by biological sex.
- Concerns have been raised that the guidance could lead to discrimination based on physical appearance or behavior, potentially barring transgender individuals from certain services.
- Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has stated the importance of balancing access to single-sex provisions with treating transgender people with dignity and respect.
- The guidance awaits ministerial approval and must be laid before Parliament for 40 days before gaining legal force.
The UK government is meticulously reviewing new guidance on access to single-sex spaces, a move that has sparked significant debate over the balance between women's safety and transgender rights. The guidance, developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), comes in response to an April Supreme Court ruling that legally defines a woman by biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act.
Guidance Under Scrutiny
The proposed code of practice, which has been with Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson since September, outlines how public bodies and businesses should implement the court's ruling. It suggests that service providers might need to verify an individual's eligibility for single-sex spaces based on physical appearance or behavior. This has raised concerns about potential discrimination against transgender individuals, who are also protected under equalities law.
Phillipson emphasized the importance of ensuring women have access to single-sex provisions, such as domestic violence services and rape crisis centers, while also treating transgender people with dignity and respect. "We are taking the time to get this right," she stated, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities
The guidance has been met with mixed reactions. Some fear it could lead to exclusion based on subjective assessments of appearance, while others argue it is necessary to maintain the integrity of single-sex spaces. The guidance also notes that if a transgender person is excluded, alternatives should be considered to ensure they are not left without essential services.
Children's Minister Josh MacAlister highlighted the need for thoroughness to avoid further legal challenges, stating, "We want to get it right, and if we don't, it risks putting this back into the courts."
Awaiting Approval
The guidance, which must be approved by ministers and laid before Parliament for 40 days, has yet to gain legal force. Its delay has led to speculation about potential political motivations, with some suggesting the government is stalling to avoid backlash.
What this might mean
As the UK government continues to deliberate on the guidance, the outcome could have significant implications for both women's rights and transgender access to services. If approved, the guidance may set a precedent for how single-sex spaces are managed, potentially influencing future legal interpretations and policies. Experts suggest that the government must tread carefully to balance the rights of all individuals while minimizing the risk of discrimination or exclusion. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of navigating gender identity issues within the framework of existing legal protections.
