Equality Act 2010: Code of Practice

Debate between Lord Collins of Highbury and Baroness Chakrabarti

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

Everyone must comply with the law. The Supreme Court decision is very clear, but it takes time to amend guidance and policies because, as I have said to the noble Lord before, they are not just about this single issue. Some policies particularly cover employment and, of course, the guidance now issued is about service providers. As I said in my response to the noble Baroness, Lady Stedman-Scott, the Cabinet Office has updated Civil Service model policy and departments will work to implement the changes as soon as possible. The policy documents are being updated—that is a current situation —but compliance with the law is what they are required to do. If there is any doubt, they seek legal advice.

[Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)]

My Lords, the Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter of the interpretation of law as it is, including where there are conflicting statutes. Everyone else must grapple with the consequences. The Government’s equality impact statement suggests that a consequence is that some trans people may be left with no adequate provision whatever. I know that there are young trans people in particular who, as suggested by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester the other day, are feeling depressed to the point of being suicidal about this ongoing row. What will the Government do to ensure adequate provision as well as adequate respect, and what will Parliament do to decide what the law ought to be as opposed to what it currently may be?

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I hear what my noble friend is saying, and I think she had a response from my noble friend Lady Smith, the Minister, on Monday about that. I repeat that I and the Government are proud of the Equality Act. We do not want to see it challenged. We will continue to take that position. I reassure my noble friend that, on a range of services for trans people, we are committed to ensure that they are improved and maintained. We have Michael Brady’s review on NHS services. It is important that we have gone from the period of the debate being toxic: that somehow trans people are a threat. We know why single-sex spaces are important, and that is the Supreme Court’s decision. We also know that the consequence of this toxic debate is to make trans people feel threatened. That is what we need to address as a society to ensure that they do not feel threatened and that they feel welcome.

Israel and Iran

Debate between Lord Collins of Highbury and Baroness Chakrabarti

Thursday 19th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

As the noble Lord knows, I agree with him. Despite the urgency of the situation in relation to Iran, we are not taking our eyes off the situation in Gaza. We are focused on ensuring that we can get the humanitarian aid in, as we have promised. We are working very hard with all our allies and making the case very strongly that the restrictions that the Israeli Government have put on should be lifted.

I will not speculate on what the next steps of the US President may be, but the simple fact is that he has made it clear, as I said on Monday, that a military solution cannot resolve Iran’s nuclear escalation for the long term. We need a process in place and are focused on that. As the Foreign Secretary is in Washington, we remain in close contact with the United States. His Majesty’s Government will not give a running commentary on those conversations or speculate on the US’s sovereign decision, which is a matter for the US Government. However, I assure the House that we are absolutely focused on using all diplomatic means available to urge restraint, even at this stage, and de-escalate the situation. The UK teams throughout the world, as I mentioned in my response to the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, are focused on that.

[Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, where possible, whether in this dangerous situation or any other, without compromising secrecy or urgency, the House of Commons should be consulted before any deployment of UK forces? If he agrees with that proposition, and what was an embryonic convention under the Cameron Government, do His Majesty’s Government have any plans to enshrine that convention in statute?

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

Let us not speculate. I repeat the reassurance that I gave to the noble Lord. We are committed to keeping Parliament informed of this very difficult and delicate situation. It is important that we all focus on ensuring that we speak with one voice: that we want de-escalation and peace, and we will be focused on that. I will not speculate on what those next steps may be, but when the Prime Minister spoke at the G7, and with the Foreign Secretary in Washington today, we have been absolutely clear that the situation requires de-escalation. We will not move from that position.