Full Breakdown
Bridget Phillipson Stands Firm on Excluding Trans Women from Women’s Refuge
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Decision
Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson said she would not allow trans women to be admitted to a women’s refuge. In an interview on *The Daily T’s Sunday Showdown* she reiterated that, in her view, a woman is defined by biological sex and that women should retain access to single-sex services on that basis.
Legal Framework
The stance follows two recent legal developments. An April 2025 Supreme Court judgment clarified the definition of “woman” under the Equality Act 2010, affirming a biological interpretation. Subsequently, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published an updated statutory Code of Practice for services and organisations. The Code was formally laid before Parliament on 21 May 2026 and came into force on 5 August 2026. While the Code is not law, it provides statutory guidance on applying the Equality Act and permits single-sex services to be offered on the basis of biology, subject to consideration of the impact on trans people and the exploration of alternative options.
Phillipson’s Position and Rationale
Phillipson, who managed the Wearside Women in Need refuge from 2007 to 2010 before entering Parliament, argued that everyone in the country should be treated with dignity and respect, including trans people. However, she maintained that women’s refuges must remain spaces for biological women, citing the Supreme Court ruling as the legal foundation for her view. Her comments emphasized a dual commitment: respect for trans individuals alongside preservation of single-sex environments for women.
Context and Potential Impact
The minister’s comments come amid ongoing debate over the scope of single-sex spaces in the UK. The EHRC Code’s requirement to assess the impact on trans people could prompt service providers to develop alternative arrangements, such as separate facilities, to comply with both the guidance and the minister’s interpretation of the law. Critics argue that such exclusions may limit safe accommodation options for trans women fleeing domestic violence, while supporters claim the approach protects the intended purpose of women-only refuges.
Timeline
- April 2025 – Supreme Court delivers judgment defining “woman” in relation to the Equality Act 2010.
- 21 May 2026 – EHRC’s updated Code of Practice laid before Parliament.
- 5 August 2026 – Code of Practice comes into force.
- June 2026 – Phillipson publicly states she would not admit trans women to a women’s refuge.