UK single‑sex space code overhaul to affect 13,000 toilets and 5,000 changing rooms

New guidance on single‑sex spaces, published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and to be enacted under the Equality Act, requires facilities to be used according to a person’s biological sex. The code, covering England, Scotland and Wales, will apply to roughly 12,895 toilets and 5,526 changing‑rooms in gyms, hospitals, leisure centres and other public venues.

The financial impact assessment estimates a total ten‑year cost of about £703 million, with an unadjusted cleaning cost of £20.6 million for the public sector and yearly building‑work costs of £14.2 million. The guidance also expects around 18,000 signs to be replaced. The 40‑day parliamentary scrutiny period ended on Thursday; the code may be formally brought into force in the coming weeks.

The measure follows a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 and has drawn criticism for its timing, while the government says it is taking time to get the guidance right. Organisations such as restaurants, hairdressers, local sports clubs and council services will need to adjust their amenities accordingly.