Thank you for writing to me concerning the Equality Act 2010.
I am aware there have been petitions to Parliament and a recent Westminster Hall debate concerning the potential amendment of the Act’s definition of sex.
As you know, as a piece of UK Government legislation this is a reserved matter, however my Welsh Conservative colleagues and I will be resisting any attempts by the Labour government here in Wales to water down the legislation with the powers they possess.
Current guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on existing legislation says that it is entirely acceptable for providers of single-sex services to take account of biological sex of their service users. Moreover, where it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, the Act is clear that service providers can exclude, modify, or limit access for transgender people, even in instances where they hold a Gender Recognition Certificate.
I can assure you that the Conservative UK Government is committed to protecting women’s rights and maintain the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex spaces.
I thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards,