For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers

Lord Bishop of Manchester Excerpts

Monday 1st June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

Given the number of questions and the debate there is about this issue, I do not think there is anybody who does not think that some difficult and contested issues have had to be dealt with along the way. But the publication of the code, and the work of the EHRC to deliver it, provide, as the commission has said it attempted to, some more exemplification about how providers can abide by the law. Most importantly, it can ensure that everybody’s rights under the Equality Act, including their dignity and their ability to access services, are upheld.

[The Lord Bishop of Manchester]

My Lords, alongside other faith leaders, I am increasingly coming across trans people—men and women, often young and quite fragile—who are increasingly frightened. They are frightened about participating in public life and about being challenged. Some are even frightened about going to the doctor. What assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the mental health of trans people, and how will they support them with these changes?