Equality Act 2010: Code of Practice

Debate between Seema Malhotra and Christine Jardine

Monday 1st June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

I would also like to refer the Minister to her own words. She described the Equality Act as

“one of the most significant achievements in modern British history”.

I think we would all agree with that, but she then went on to describe it as the

“quiet guardian in millions of people’s daily lives”

and said that

“This Government will uphold and protect it, not weaken it”.

She will look very hard before she finds a member of the LGBTQ community in this country who believes that. Regardless of what the hon. Member for Reigate (Rebecca Paul) might think, I fully respect the Supreme Court’s judgment, but I believe the Supreme Court judged on the letter of the law, not on the spirit of that historic achievement that the Minister described. In order to reflect the spirit of that, do we not now need to look carefully at the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and ensure that all people in this country—including women and the LGBT community, because their rights are not mutually exclusive—get the protection that was envisaged in that law, in both its letter and spirit?

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I do want, however, to challenge her on some of what she said. It is important to recognise and reassure trans people that there are still protections in the Equality Act via the gender reassignment protected characteristic, and this includes direct and indirect discrimination. It is also important to note and not to take for granted the choices that we make in government; they are active choices to pursue and support people’s rights. The Government have also recently updated hate crime legislation to make hate crimes against LGBT people an aggravated offence. We will also shortly bring forward legislation for a trans-inclusive conversion practice ban to end that abusive practice. It is important not to say that we are not supportive of trans rights and LGBT+ rights. We must recognise the progress we are making where we can, the complexity of the debate we are having today, and the importance of ensuring that, in complying with the law, we are supporting women and single-sex spaces alongside treating trans people with respect and dignity.

US National Security Strategy

Debate between Seema Malhotra and Christine Jardine

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Seema Malhotra]

That is our foreign policy and it will always remain so.

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

Notwithstanding the Minister’s comments, there is profound shock and confusion not just in this place but among the public about what Trump’s statements mean for our future defence and the future defence of our democracy. We have parliamentary elections in Scotland next year. Is he going to be promoting something in Scotland that is not necessarily in our national interest? Can the Minister specifically give us guidance on whether we are sure that Trump will, after this statement, abide by article 5?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Seema Malhotra and Christine Jardine

Monday 31st March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. He will know that we explained when making the changes that each citizenship application will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and that the Secretary of State may choose to apply discretion to grant citizenship on an exceptional basis where there has been particularly exceptional or mitigating circumstances, such as modern slavery.

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

14. What steps she is taking to help tackle people smuggling.