Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to civil servants on the use of sex-based language, in the context of the Supreme Court ruling on For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

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.