Laws on changing gender are “very outdated” and need updating, Labour’s Shadow Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP has said.
She was responding to reports that the party in government would seek to make changing gender easier.
Jones told GB News: “This is something that was leaked, that is speculative. What I'd say is a few things. The first is that the legislation on gender re-alignment, gender dysphoria, where people would change their gender is very outdated…
“We've said for some time as did the Conservatives until recently that the law needs updating.
“We need to do this very carefully and we are completely clear that we will not introduce any significant consultation, and that the medical diagnosis here is really important and we need to get that right.”
She continued: “The lessons from Scotland are when you sort of rush in to do something that you believe to be right without thinking about how that impacts on other rights, and in this case, women and safe spaces, and making sure people have the rights that they need, then you can get in trouble.
“This is something we will take very carefully. At the heart of it there needs to be that kindness and that dignity given to people who come from different positions on this and to try and bring together those different sides to present something that works.”
On compensation payments to the victims of the infected blood scandal, she said: “We know the Treasury has already been working on what can be put in place. We know that there has been some interim compensation paid, although not enough…
“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government on this and I think that's right. We can't bring party politics into this and we will support the government on the compensation that will need to be introduced…
“We have to right the wrongs of the past. If the State has harmed people, then we have to put that right."
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