Government Departments: Women

(asked on 22nd April 2025) - View Source

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the UK Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025, if he will take steps to apply the biological definition of a woman to all (a) policies and (b) communications.


Answered by
Nia Griffith Portrait
Nia Griffith
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
This question was answered on 12th May 2025

The Supreme Court’s ruling makes clear that for the purposes of the Equality Act, the term ‘woman’ refers to a biological woman. The ruling has provided clarity for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs. This Government will continue to protect single-sex spaces based on biological sex.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has already committed to supporting service providers with updated guidance; they will consult widely as they develop this. All government departments should follow the clarity the ruling provides.

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