Express.co.uk
·Aug 2026
New toilet rule in force in 13,000 UK locations from today
Updated statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission has come into force across England, Scotland and Wales, stating that single-sex toilets, changing rooms, hospital wards and refuges should be accessed according to biological sex under the Equality Act. The guidance does not create new law but may prompt facilities that are not compliant to alter their arrangements, with estimates suggesting almost 13,000 toilets, more than 5,000 changing rooms and at least 18,000 signs could require changes. Public-sector costs are estimated at £20.6 million for cleaning-related adjustments and £14.2 million annually for building work. The code recommends options such as self-contained unisex cubicles to provide services for transgender people and anticipates continued legal challenges. Supporters, including Suella Braverman, welcomed the emphasis on women-only spaces, while LGBTQ+ campaigners warned of potential harms to the trans community.