Equality and Human Rights Commission: Draft Updated Code of Practice

Baroness Burt of Solihull Excerpts

Wednesday 5th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

I always agree with what my right honourable friend the Secretary of State says, and I certainly do in this case. This just emphasises the point I made earlier: this code will have implications for service providers up and down the country, and, incidentally, it provides guidance across all protected characteristics, not solely sex and gender reassignment. It is therefore important for the Government to take the appropriate time to consider it, so that it can then be laid before Parliament for consideration.

[Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)]

My Lords, given the significant public interest in this guidance and the wide-ranging impact across society, can the Minister confirm that both Houses will have the opportunity to scrutinise the code through debate once it is laid before Parliament?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

The Government will follow the process set out in the Equality Act 2006 for laying the code. As per the process set out in Section 14 of that Act, the Minister for Women and Equalities, after considering the updated draft code, and if the decision is taken to approve it, will lay it before both Houses over a 40-day period.