New guidance on single-sex spaces will be published next month following elections on May 7th, according to equalities minister Bridget Phillipson. The updated draft from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was submitted on Monday, but election regulations prevent immediate government announcements.
Phillipson explained in a written statement to MPs that the government is taking "urgent action" to present the guidance to Parliament after local elections in England and national elections in Scotland and Wales conclude. Parliament reconvenes on May 13th for the State Opening before breaking again on May 21st.
The EHRC's Code of Practice, which helps organizations interpret the Equality Act 2010, is being revised after a Supreme Court ruling last April clarified that terms like "sex," "man," and "woman" refer to biological sex in equality law across England, Scotland, and Wales. This decision stemmed from the For Women Scotland case.
Dr. Mary-Ann Stephenson, EHRC chair, stated that recent amendments were made after receiving limited government feedback and considering consultation responses and legal advice. She emphasized that the changes aim to "strengthen duty bearers' understanding of the law" and ensure "all service users are treated with dignity and respect."
Phillipson affirmed the government's support for single-sex spaces based on biological sex, noting that the Supreme Court ruling also confirmed protections for transgender individuals within the Equality Act.
Reactions to the delay have been mixed. Alex Parmar-Yee from the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance welcomed amendments to earlier drafts, calling for "trans-inclusive provision" aligned with human rights standards. Meanwhile, Maya Forstater of Sex Matters criticized the prolonged timeline, arguing it "is causing harm to women" nearly a year after the court decision.
Once approved, the new code will undergo a 40-day parliamentary review before becoming statutory, unless MPs or the House of Lords vote to reject it.