Overview

• The Equality and Human Rights Commission has completed statutory guidance directing schools, hospitals, leisure centres and cinemas to exclude trans women from female-only spaces, including toilets, changing rooms and sports competitions.
• It reaffirms the April Supreme Court ruling that defines “woman” and “sex” by biological criteria and authorizes service providers to verify eligibility through birth certificate checks.
• The code applies to all public service organizations and private bodies delivering public services, encompassing shops, gyms, government departments, the NHS and prisons.
• Over 50,000 consultation responses were processed with supervised AI support, drawing criticism from campaigners who say the review was too rapid and have pledged human rights challenges.
• The EHRC will send its final guidance to Minister Bridget Phillipson by month-end for approval before it is laid before Parliament, setting up potential parliamentary scrutiny and legal appeals.