This ground-breaking report from the Women and Equalities Committee needs to act as a wake-up call for the Government on transgender equality - Cat Smith

Cat Smith MP, Junior Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, responding to calls by the Women and Equalities Committee for ministers to draw up a new strategy to tackle transgender discrimination, said

“This ground-breaking report from the Women and Equalities Committee needs to act as a wake-up call for the Government on transgender equality.

“This report makes clear that trans people face discrimination and abuse on a daily basis, including when trying to access the very public services which should be there to assist them. The horrific statistic that almost half of young trans people and a third of trans adults attempt suicide shows what a frightening place the UK can be for trans people. In 2016 this simply is not good enough.

“Ignorance can no longer be an excuse. We need a new strategy from the Government to ensure that outdated laws which are blind to the needs of trans people are amended. There must also be a concerted effort to fight hate crime and make every public service accessible for trans people. A civilised society in the 21st century demands nothing less.”

I was privileged to be a member of the new Women & Equalities Committee and take part in this Inquiry, our first.  A clear agenda for Government to address the discrimination that trans people face.