Britain’s parliament will announce this week that it is seeking to prevent the construction of non-residential buildings exclusively with “universal” or all-sex toilets, The Telegraph revealed on Saturday. Sources told the British newspaper that ministers and Prime Minister Boris Johnson believe the regulations should cover all buildings housing businesses. The rules will apply only to such buildings of a certain size. The measure is being led by Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, who the Telegraph said was recently told that some young students are not using toilets in schools because they only have gender-neutral toilets. Badenoch, a member of the Conservative Party, is reported to have said it was “important” to provide single-sex spaces for men and women. Newly built offices, schools, hospitals and leisure venues in England will have to include separate single-sex bathrooms. Christopher Sadowski Sources told the newspaper that ministers and Prime Minister Boris Johnson believe the regulations should cover all buildings housing businesses . Peter Steffen/image alliance via Getty Images A UK government source told the Telegraph: “It is vital that women feel safe and comfortable when using public facilities and that there is greater emphasis on provision that focuses on dignity, privacy, tolerance and respect for all.” The newspaper said ministers are likely to present the new policies as a “common sense” way to curb the recent trend in which gender-neutral bathrooms have become standard in new-build buildings.
