Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she will take to assess the safeguarding implications of reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

We are carefully considering safeguarding issues related to reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004. We have been very clear that we are not going to be changing the existing safeguards in the Equality Act. Safeguarding is always a priority and, in line with the usual obligations on Government, any proposed new gender recognition system will be rigorously assessed in terms of its potential effect on other groups in society, as well as its implications for safeguarding processes in specific contexts, such as prisons. As part of the Gender Recognition Act consultation, we are keen to hear from respondents on these points.

Any new system that is proposed in the Government’s response to the Gender Recognition Act consultation will be subject to a full impact assessment.