Britain’s equalities chief intervenes after Labour insisted tightening law to protect single-sex spaces would be unnecessary_Nhy
Britain’s equalities watchdog has intervened after Labour insisted that tightening the law to protect single-sex spaces would be unnecessary.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has demanded to see the transgender policies of hundreds of public bodies after concerns about them were dismissed by ministers.
Baroness Falkner, chairman of the EHRC, said it would examine these and decide whether the Equality Act – which allows organisations to restrict access to women-only spaces such as bathrooms to those born female – is being followed correctly.
Her comments came after the Office for Equality and Opportunity last week brushed aside fears many public bodies are allowing people to access services based on their self-identified gender rather than their biological sex.
It said it had found a few examples where the guidance was not being interpreted correctly, after members of the public raised concerns about 404 organisations.
However, it claimed this was simply down to ‘confusion or a lack of awareness’.
EHRC chairman Baroness Falkner said the watchdog would examine these and decide whether the Equality Act is being followed correctly on single-sex spaces
A Trans Pride demonstrator holds a placard in a protest in central London in July
In response, Lady Falkner wrote to equalities minister Anneliese Dodds, thanking her for sending the EHRC 42 cases where the Equality Act 2010 was identified to have been misinterpreted.
She added: ‘We would find it helpful to see the remaining 362 examples submitted to you.
‘This would enable us to form a better judgment of the overall picture of compliance with the Act and guidance, inform the development of the statutory Code of Practice and our broader regulatory activity, and have confidence that the Act, on the whole, is being applied correctly.’
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Labour closes in on outlawing trail hunting: Government warns practice is being used as a ‘smokescreen’ for killing foxes and hares
Labour is risking another countryside clash by pressing ahead with its manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting.
As thousands gather for traditional Boxing Day meets, the Government has confirmed it will outlaw the practice of hounds and riders following an animal scent laid across the countryside.
The Department for Environment, Rural Affairs and Food (Defra) claimed trail hunting is being used as a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal activity, 20 years after the previous Labour government banned fox hunting.
A spokesman told the PA news agency: ‘This government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious animal welfare plans in a generation and that is exactly what we will do.
‘We are committed to a ban on trail hunting, which is being exploited as a smokescreen to cruelly kill foxes and hares.’
Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, agreed, saying: ‘It’s 20 years since the Hunting Act was passed but, since then, figures we compile consistently suggest hunts still chase and kill foxes as they did before the ban.
‘Hunts may claim they are following a pre-laid animal scent trail, known as trail hunting, but this has been shown to be nothing but a smokescreen to conceal old-fashioned illegal hunting.’
Labour MP Dan Norris, who chairs the anti-hunting group, urged ministers to ‘listen to the majority view, including in rural areas, to close the legal loopholes that allow needless cruelty to animals, and implement a proper ban on hunting once and for all’.
Members of the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt take part in the annual Boxing Day trail hunt, as they head towards Chiddingstone Castle, Britain, December 26, 2023
Protesters hold placards criticising the hunt and the hunt supporters during a 2023 demonstration
The Government has confirmed it will outlaw the practice of hounds and riders following an animal scent laid across the countryside.
But Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, claimed trail hunting was irrelevant to most people and it would be ‘extraordinary’ for Labour to focus on it given the anger among rural voters over its inheritance tax raid on farms.
He said: ‘Given where the government is in its relationship with the countryside already, frankly it would seem extraordinary that they’d want to double down on an issue which really doesn’t matter.
‘It’s one of those elements that brings the rural community together and to remove that through an act of spite, if that was to happen, would be something which I think people would react extremely badly to.’
Joe Emmett, master and huntsman of the South Devon Hunt, said: ‘The hunt plays an important role in our local community and meets like Boxing Day are the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to the area to come together.’
