Speeches by Phillipson.

“First, I want to recognise your personal experiences and what you said at the start; I understand that that can be incredibly traumatic. People should be able to live their life as they wish and as who they are. We have come a long way as a country and have made tremendous progress on a number of different fronts, but …”

“I need to come back to the Committee on that point. I am afraid I cannot give you a date, but I will happily provide an update afterwards if that is helpful, Chair.”

“South Wales police has paused its plans. It is right that it has done so. There are no blasphemy laws in this country, but it is right that we take action against hatred, prejudice and racism wherever we find it. We have seen shocking examples of Muslims in our country being targeted on the basis of their faith and bec…”

“The hon. Gentleman raises two incredibly powerful and distressing cases. I share with him my sympathy for those affected, given all that they have been through and the harm that they have suffered. I am more than happy to discuss the matter further with him, or to make sure that a Minister meets him to hear his constit…”

“I am proud of the last Labour Government’s record on tackling child poverty, but this Labour Government are going even further. We will lift the largest ever number of children out of poverty in a single Parliament, in sharp contrast with the Conservative party, which would plunge half a million children back into pove…”

“I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The joy of reading should be open to every child, and that is really important in this National Year of Reading. Local libraries are special places, and Reform should be investing in our libraries, so that children can access them, not shutting down displays that make all familie…”

“Under the Equality Act 2006, I have laid the code as set out in the law. It is probably useful to say what the purpose of the draft code is and what its relationship is with the Equality Act. I understand the concerns that have been raised by many, and I am aware of feelings across the House, including those connected …”

“I was satisfied in laying the code and I believe it was right to lay the code before Parliament, because this gives service providers the clarity that they need, in terms of how they can comply with the law. To be absolutely clear with the Committee, trans people are still protected by the Equality Act. The draft code …”

“Both the Government and the EHRC completed equality impact assessments, as we are required to do, and I am sure that the EHRC would be happy to discuss further with the Committee how it intends to continue to monitor, as the code comes into force, when we have gone through the 40-day period. That is the right way forwa…”

“It is the independent equalities regulator. It brings forward the code that I lay in Parliament, but should it wish to update the code at a later date, it is of course able to do so. We are discussing a draft code that is a new code that has been revised. The previous code had been in place for many, many years and—set…”

“When Dr Hilary Cass published her review, we endorsed all those recommendations, as did the Conservatives. An important part of what Dr Cass set out was that it is essential that healthcare is available to children and young people who are experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence, but that it must be safe, evidenc…”

“The EHRC has set out the approach that it has taken, and I just want to emphasise that it is for the EHRC as the independent regulator to draft the code to bring it forward. I then follow the process that is set out in the law around responding to that. The EHRC board considered further changes in a number of different…”

“Everything in this space is legally tested on a pretty regular basis. Of course, I am not sure that that is going to change any time soon. That is the beauty of living in a democratic society with the rule of law, where people are able to challenge decisions and hold Government to account to make sure that rights are u…”

“You will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual organisations and their decision-making process. They will have different ways in which they are constituted—rules of association and so forth. It is really for those associations to seek further legal advice if they are uncertain. The draft code indicates that me…”

“I am satisfied that what the EHRC has set out merely seeks to clarify the position that it had already made clear. But in order to put beyond doubt what was intended through the draft code, it provided that further clarification, which is welcome and hopefully has assuaged people’s concerns in this area.”

“I understand that for smaller organisations these can be difficult areas where they are seeking to do the right thing, both in terms of the draft code and of the previous code. They may not have access to big budgets and legal teams. That is why it is essential that the draft code provides organisations, including smal…”

“In addition to the budget, I know that in the past the Committee has taken a keen interest in making sure that the EHRC is in the strongest possible position to deliver on the important responsibilities that it is tasked with. Since I last came before the Committee, in addition to the new chair, who I know has been bef…”

“This code, and the Equality Act alongside it, make it clear that trans people are protected from discrimination and harassment. Those with a gender recognition certificate are still recognised in their acquired gender and in other circumstances. Of course, a GRC still allows people to legally change their sex for a ran…”

“We would not for one moment want anyone to feel that way and lack the services, support and provision that is required. The draft code sets out practical ways in which that can be delivered. Often, this discussion will come down to questions of services and provision within businesses and public buildings. The draft co…”

“We know that there are significant barriers both to disabled people accessing employment and to their being able to access the kind of employment they would wish to do, not feeling pushed into particular kinds of work. We also understand the impact to wider society that some of those costs can bring. I will take your p…”