The government is looking to strengthen guidelines to clamp down on gender-neutral toilets being offered as the only option.
Action is being taken by the equalities office in a move they have argued will protect women’s privacy and prevent confusion.
Kemi Badenoch, Britain’s women and equalities minister, as well as business and trade secretary, 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 provides separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all.”
A short consultation about how precisely the changes should work opened on Monday.
A YouGov poll last year found 87 per cent wanted separate toilets for men and women. Some 35 per cent felt unisex toilets should be available for those who wanted them.
What are the new rules around gender-neutral toilets?
The new rule states that there must be a toilet just for women in all new non-residential buildings. It will also apply to buildings undertaking major refurbishment.
An exception will be made for facilities where the whole room, not just a cubicle, is designed to be used by one person at a time and can be locked from the inside.
Disabled toilets will not be affected.
The department is also keen for individual toilets to have their own hand basin rather than for the basin to be in a communal area.
All changes will only impact English toilets for now.
What about gender-neutral toilets in schools?
Separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged eight and over must already be provided in schools, except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time.
The government has said the consultation will reinforce the principle anyway.
What about existing buildings?
The regulations will only apply to new buildings, the government has said.
To take part in the consultation, visit: consult.levellingup.gov.uk/energy-performance-of-buildings/toilet-provision-in-buildings-other-than-dwellings/.
