Government sources have confirmed that ministers are to make single-sex toilets compulsory in all new public buildings in the UK.
In a move that will involve changes to building regulations and planning guidance, government ministers are expected to formally announce this week that they will prevent non-residential buildings from being built solely with “universal” lavatories – which means that new offices, schools, hospitals, entertainment venues, and more will be expected to have separate male and female toilets.
The move would also apply to new or redeveloped government-owned buildings.
Headed up by equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, the plans for the move were said to have been quietly approved last month, The Telegraph reports.
The newspaper reported that the policy was first proposed back in May 2021, but was criticised as being a transphobic move as it offered no alternative plan for trans and non-binary people.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ms Badenoch’s plans – which she insists are both legal and “important” – follow a review by former housing secretary Robert Jenrick, which reportedly came across concerns by women about the reduced privacy and longer queues that are generated by gender-neutral toilets.
Ministers are to make single-sex toilets compulsory in all new public buildings in the UK / Credit: WallpaperFlare
The government has also claimed some children are avoiding using lavatories at school because they only have access to gender-neutral facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Similarly, some campaign groups, including Fair Play for Women, told the government that same-sex facilities “disadvantaged” women, and that “many women and girls are unwilling to walk past the urinals to get to the cubicles in the former men’s facilities”.
A government source also told The Telegraph that it was “vital that women feel “safe and comfortable” when using public toilets, adding that: “These changes will stop the march of ‘universal’ and forced sharing of spaces – with a focus on guaranteeing privacy for all.
“This is a common-sense approach that is inclusive for all.”
ADVERTISEMENT
An announcement on the plans is expected to be made this week, according to government sources, and would be adopted following a technical consultation in the autumn.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
4th July 2022 
