ScotPAG Press Release 14 July 2025
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- 1 day ago
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Education, Social Work and Health Professionals urge Scottish Government Cabinet Ministers to withdraw ‘harmful and unlawful schools and social work guidance.'
Following the Supreme Court’s Ruling (16th April 2025), ScotPAG, a multi-agency group of professionals representing Education, Social Work, and Health, have written an open letter 14/07/25 to the Scottish Government urging them to act now and withdraw, 'Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools', and 'Guidance for children and young people’s services on the inclusion of transgender including non-binary young people', rather than wait for EHRC Guidance.
The letter states:
'The Supreme Court’s ruling clarified that the terms ‘sex,’ ‘man,’ and ‘woman’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex, not gender identity or certificated sex as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This decision has profound implications for policies and guidance that rely on definitions of sex or gender that deviate from biological reality.’
The letter goes on to state:
‘The EHRC’s interim guidance, issued in May 2025, further reinforces that public bodies, including schools and care services, must align their policies with this legal definition of sex to comply with the Equality Act 2010. It explicitly states that duty-bearers should not wait for the updated Code of Practice to review and amend their policies to ensure compliance with the law as settled by the Supreme Court.’
The letter ends with ScotPAG advising:
‘Immediately withdraw the transgender guidance for schools and the Care Inspectorate’s transgender guidance for children, as both are unlawful in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling and EHRC advice’ and
‘Issue interim guidance to all schools and care providers in Scotland, clarifying that policies and practices must align with the biological definition of sex as mandated by the Equality Act 2010.’
The letter ends by drawing attention to the Scottish Government’s responsibilities with regard to setting a standard of safeguarding for all children. They point out:
‘The current guidance, by prioritising gender identity over biological sex, risks undermining the privacy, dignity, and safeguarding of children, particularly in single-sex spaces.’
Download full letter here:
For further comments/details contact:
Carolyn Brown ScotPAG Convenor
ScotPAG.com @scotpag
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