“For Women Scotland” Supreme Court Ruling Debate

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Department: Department for International Development

“For Women Scotland” Supreme Court Ruling

Baroness Hoey Excerpts
Thursday 24th April 2025

(2 days ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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It was the Supreme Court that was clear that single-sex spaces, including toilets, should be offered on the basis of biological sex, and Ministers were reflecting that ruling. This is a difficult issue, and I am sure that it will be considered by the EHRC during the production of its code of practice. Increasingly, in very many public places we see unisex toilets, which are available to everybody.

Baroness Hoey Portrait Baroness Hoey (Non-Afl)
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My Lords, can the Minister give an absolute commitment that the Supreme Court judgment will apply to Northern Ireland in full, like the rest of the United Kingdom, despite Northern Ireland being left under EU equality laws?

Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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I will come back to the noble Baroness about that. There are elements of this ruling and the scope of the Equality Act that we need to look at carefully, but I will come back to her.