Government announced new building requirements to clampdown on gender neutral toilets

Yesterday ministers unveiled new plans which state that single-sex toilets will be compulsory in all of England’s new non-residential buildings.

The announcement was made amid privacy concerns which came from women and elderly people who feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender neutral facilities.

Concerns over the rise of gender-neutral toilets, which are facilities that are available for men, women, transgender and non-binary people to use, have meant that the public have been forced to share cubicles and sinks leading to an increased wait in queues, decreased choice and a limitation on privacy.

New regulations and guidance will mean women, who may need to use the facilities more due to pregnancy or sanitary needs, will now be guaranteed appropriate facilities either through a separate single-sex or through a self-contained, private toilet.

In addition to single sex toilets becoming the default and minimum for new non-residential buildings and places undertaking major refurbishment, the guidelines will encourage the consideration of self-contained toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: ‘It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. Yet the move towards ‘gender neutral’ toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls.

‘These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all.’

A previous call for evidence on increasing the accessibility of toilets for men and women had more than 17,000 responses and represented a full range of views.

The government said the responses generally called for a greater consideration in the range of toilets to preserve dignity, access, equality, and privacy for all.

Parliamentary undersecretary of state for faith and communities, Baroness Scott, said: ‘It is extremely important women can feel comfortable when using public facilities, so we are taking action to restore dignity and privacy at the centre of all future provision.

‘These proposal will mean separate toilets for men and women, as well as self-contained toilets for those that need them, become a requirement for every new building across England.’

Image: Tim Mossholder

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