Overview

• Merton Council has confirmed the guide as an internal document and continues to defend its recommendations
• The guide instructs staff to replace “mum” and “dad” with “caregivers” and to avoid “mother” and “father” to recognise diverse family formations
• Employees are advised to use person-centred language and to avoid age-related descriptors such as “young” or “old” to prevent assumptions
• Staff are urged to check individuals’ preferred names rather than assume nicknames without asking
• Critics including Free Speech Union boss Lord Toby Young have criticised the guide as misplaced and urged the council to prioritise local services