Educational Institutions: Women

(asked on 11th November 2025) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will issue guidance to schools, colleges, universities and youth facilities on single-sex changing rooms and facilities, and related issues to comply with the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers.


Answered by
Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait
Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 27th November 2025

Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.

Schools must always protect single-sex spaces with regard to toilets, showers and changing rooms. The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 and the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 impose statutory requirements for both maintained and independent schools to provide sex-separated toilets and suitable changing accommodation and showers for pupils (apart from individual toilets in fully enclosed rooms).

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has also submitted the draft updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations to my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Women and Equalities, which the government is considering prior to next steps.

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