Prime Minister visits Leander rowing club in Henley
Rishi Sunak visited the famous rowing club earlier today after announcing he plans to rewrite the Equality Act, so that protections it enshrines on the basis of a person’s sex apply only to their biological sex
The Prime Minister was in Henley today, speaking with young women and girls after announcing he plans to rewrite the equality act over safety fears for them.
Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of "protected characteristics".
These are a set of identifying traits that are protected by law and include age, disability, religion, race, sex and sexual orientation among others.
Some interpret sex in this context as referring strictly to biological sex, while others believe it also applies to people with a gender recognition certificate; a legal document that allows someone to change the legal sex on their birth certificate.
Speaking about the changes to the equality act Mr Sunak said: "The equalities act was passed over a decade ago and what's clear now is that we need more clarity to ensure the safety of women and girls.
"That's why we've taken the action to amend the act and say that sex, means biological sex.
"What that means is that providers of single sex services and single sex spaces will have the ability to ensure the security and safety of women and girls."
"It will mean that the providers themselves are able to make the decision and not get sued when they make those decisions."