Thank you for contacting me about the UK Government's decision to prevent the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.

The Government’s decision to Block the Gender Recognition Reform Bill has not been taken lightly. My colleagues fully respect the Scottish Parliament’s competency to make decisions within devolved areas but it is the Government’s assessment that the Bill will have a significant harmful impact on the operation of GB-wide equality legislation, such as the Equality Act 2010.

In making the decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, the Government has listened to the concerns of many experts and civil society groups regarding the potential impact of the Bill on the safety of women and children.

Thank you again for contacting me.