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Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Reform of the Gender Recognition Act

Status: Closed Opened: 28 Oct 2020 Closed: 12 Dec 2022 24 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

The Government has published its proposals for changes to the gender recognition process and set out how it plans to move forward. The Women and Equalities Committee will examine these proposals, gathering evidence on whether the Government’s proposed changes are the right ones and whether they go far enough. This inquiry will explore what changes, … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third report- Reform of the Gender Recognition Act HC 977 21 Dec 2021 30 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
1 Recommendation Third report- Reform of the Gender Reco… Accepted

We consider the reduction in the fee for a Gender Recognition Certificate from £140 to...

We consider the reduction in the fee for a Gender Recognition Certificate from £140 to £5 to be a step in the right direction. This new nominal amount will however contribute virtually nothing to the running of the Gender Recognition Certificate system and appears tokenistic. The Government’s consultation showed that … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the claim that the £5 fee reduction was 'tokenistic', explaining that it allowed for quick implementation via secondary legislation, unlike full removal which would require primary legislation. They noted a significant increase in GRC applications since the fee reduction, demonstrating its positive …
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Government Equalities Office
2 Recommendation Third report- Reform of the Gender Reco… Accepted

We welcome the move to offer applicants a digital route.

We welcome the move to offer applicants a digital route. This will bring the process up to date with other Government services, which can be accessed online. The Government must ensure it is a system that can be accessed via smartphones as well as other devices. It will also need … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, confirming the digitised GRC application process is in its testing phase and will be operational by summer 2022. It assured the system's accessibility on smartphones and mobiles, and committed to retaining a paper-based application process for those who prefer it.
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Government Equalities Office
25 Recommendation Third report- Reform of the Gender Reco… Accepted

NHS England should also consider more appropriate and effective responses and services to patients facing...

NHS England should also consider more appropriate and effective responses and services to patients facing lengthy waiting list times than the current communications. This must include access to trans/gender non-conforming inclusive or specific mental health services. The GEO, DHSC and NHS England should provide this Committee Reform of the Gender … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, committing DHSC to provide annual updates on pilot clinics and their impact on waiting times. It outlined new pilot clinics for holistic care, including psychological services, established regional professional support services, and allocated an additional £500 million for mental health …
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Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

6 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Jun 2021 Jo Churchill MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Melanie Field OBE · Equality and Human Rights Commission, The Baroness Falkner of Margravine · Equality and Human Rights Commission View ↗
12 May 2021 Dr Harriet Hutchinson · Action for Trans Health Durham, Dr John Chisholm CBE · British Medical Association, Dr Michael Brady · NHS England, John Stewart · NHS England, Leigh Chislett · 56 Dean Street View ↗
21 Apr 2021 Dr Judith Green · Woman's Place UK, Dr Nicola Williams · Fair Play for Women, Raquel Rosario-Sanchez · FiLiA View ↗
17 Mar 2021 Cat Burton · Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Dr Jane Hamlin · Beaumont Society, Lui Asquith · Mermaids, Nancy Kelley · Stonewall View ↗
10 Feb 2021 Karon Monaghan QC · Matrix Chambers, Naomi Cunningham · Outer Temple Chambers, Robin White · Old Square Chambers, Sally Brett · The Law Society View ↗
9 Dec 2020 Dr Kathleen Stock · University of Sussex, Dr Ruth Pearce · Trans Learning Partnership, Professor Alex Sharpe · University of Warwick, Professor Alice Sullivan · University College, London, Professor Rosa Freedman · University of Reading School of Law, Professor Stephen Whittle OBE · Manchester Metropolitan University View ↗

Who gave evidence

25 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Cat Burton · Chair Gender Identity Research and Education Society 1
Dr Harriet Hutchinson · Community Organiser Action for Trans Health Durham 1
Dr Jane Hamlin · President Beaumont Society 1
Dr John Chisholm CBE · Chair of the Medical Ethics Committee British Medical Association 1
Dr Judith Green · Co-founder Woman's Place UK 1
Dr Kathleen Stock · Professor of Philosophy University of Sussex 1
Dr Michael Brady · National Adviser for LGBT Health NHS England 1
Dr Nicola Williams · Director Fair Play for Women 1
Dr Ruth Pearce · Research Coordinator Trans Learning Partnership 1
Jo Churchill MP · Minister for Agri-Innovation and Climate Adaptati… Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
John Stewart · National Director of Specialised Commissioning NHS England 1
Karon Monaghan QC · Barrister Matrix Chambers 1
Leigh Chislett · Clinical Manager 56 Dean Street 1
Lui Asquith · Director of Legal and Policy Mermaids 1
Melanie Field OBE · Executive Director for Policy, Strategy and Wales Equality and Human Rights Commission 1
Nancy Kelley · Chief Executive Stonewall 1
Naomi Cunningham · Barrister Outer Temple Chambers 1
Professor Alex Sharpe · Professor at the School of Law University of Warwick 1
Professor Alice Sullivan · Professor of Sociology University College, London 1
Professor Rosa Freedman · Professor of Law, Conflict and Global Development University of Reading School of Law 1
Professor Stephen Whittle OBE · Professor of Equalities Law Manchester Metropolitan University 1
Raquel Rosario-Sanchez · Spokeswoman and Trustee FiLiA 1
Robin White · Barrister Old Square Chambers 1
Sally Brett · Head of Diversity and Inclusion The Law Society 1
The Baroness Falkner of Margravine · Chair Equality and Human Rights Commission 1

Correspondence

31 letters
DateDirectionTitle
13 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding The Ge…
29 Mar 2022 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Minister for Equalities in response to our…
24 Mar 2022 — Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Equalities relating to Govern…
3 Mar 2022 — Correspondence to Elliot Colburn MP from the Minister for Equalities relating t…
28 Jan 2022 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Com…
16 Jul 2021 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Director of Specialist Commissioning relat…
14 Jul 2021 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Minister for Equalities relating to our in…
8 Jul 2021 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Leader of the House of Commons relating to…
7 Jul 2021 — Correspondence to the Chair from the Speaker relating to the ministerial attend…
30 Jun 2021 — Correspondence to the Chair of the Liaison Committee from the Chair relating to…
30 Jun 2021 — Correspondence to the Leader of the House from the Chair relating to attendance…
30 Jun 2021 — Correspondence to the Speaker from the Chair relating to attendance of GEO Mini…
29 Jun 2021 — Correspondence to the Minister for Equalities from the Chair relating to our in…
11 Jun 2021 To cttee Letter from Minister for Equalities regarding the inquiry on Reform of the Gend…
11 Jun 2021 To cttee Letter from Chair to Minister for Equalities regarding the inquiry on Reform of…
21 May 2021 — Correspondence from the Minister for Equalities to the Chair relating to her in…
21 Jan 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chair to Judge Paula Gray with follow-up questions for the inqu…
13 Jan 2021 From cttee Letter to the Chair of the Committee from the EHRC relating to the Reform of th…
9 Dec 2020 — Correspondence to the EHRC from the Chair in response to correspondence on GRA …
27 Nov 2020 — Correspondence from the EHRC to the Chair regarding the Gender Recognition Act