Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the judicial review proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women against the UK Statistics Authority, whether they will standardise the use of the words ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ by public authorities.

Both ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are terms used in legislation. It is up to individual organisations to decide which terms to use within their documents. In doing so, they will consider the language used, and how to ensure clarity and comprehension.

The Government has committed to review its approach to drafting legislation on subjects which prompt questions around language. As in the case of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, the most obvious area is legislation relating to pregnancy or childbirth, but there will, no doubt, be other related subjects where similar issues arise for the drafting and the review will consider those as appropriate. The review will consider the recent debates in both Houses arising from the passage of this particular Act, as well as practices adopted in other English language legislatures.