Government Departments: Public Lavatories
The question
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Property Agency plans to change policy guidance on toilets in departmental buildings in response to the (i) Supreme Court ruling of [2025] UKSC and (ii) implementation of revised 2024 Approved Document T: Toilet Accommodation building regulations, in relation to the (a) removal of legacy gender-neutral toilets on the government estate, (b) provision of separate single-sex toilets for men and for women and (c) provision of universal toilets in addition to separate single-sex toilets.
Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Government Property Agency is committed to ensuring that the portion of government estate it manages complies with all relevant legislation, including the 2024 Approved Document T and the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.
The GPA has updated its policy to ensure that both single-sex and universal welfare facilities are provided in all government workspaces and buildings that it manages. For capital projects and significant refurbishments, facilities are provided in line with the Government Workplace Design Guide V4.0.
Regarding legacy gender-neutral facilities (those that do not meet the requirements of a ‘universal toilet’ as described in Approved Document T) on the existing estate, the GPA is currently auditing these spaces on its estate and developing a programme for lifecycle replacement or refurbishment as required to align them with the updated guidance. The GPA is conducting proportionality assessments across its estate to determine necessary physical or signage changes.
The GPA mandates the provision of single-sex welfare facilities across its managed workspaces.
In addition to single-sex facilities, a minimum of one universal toilet-room will be provided in each GPA-managed building.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →