Joint statement - EHRC Code of Practice scruitny

1st September 2025

Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations.

You can read the full on Scottish Trans website here.

The letter asks MPs to write to the Minister for Women and Equalities and the Prime Minister to ensure that this Code is subject to a full democratic process. Anything less would represent a serious failure of parliamentary duty.

The Minister for Women and Equalities will soon lay in Parliament an updated Code of Practice to the Equality Act, created by the EHRC. This new guidance may bypass Parliament to implement one of the most significant changes to the application of UK equality law since the passage of the Equality Act itself.

Parliament and the public are not expected to even gain sight of the Code until after it has had Ministerial approval, and MPs are expected to have no opportunity to debate or vote on this momentous change in Parliament.

We are also continuing to encourage individuals to take action. 

Scottish Trans have a template letter that you can use to write to your own MP, outlining your personal concerns and asking them to push for proper scrutiny of the Code. It is vital that MPs hear directly from the people whose lives will be affected.

Download a template letter to edit and send to your MP here.