This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56972195
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Gender recognition certificate cost cut to £5 | Gender recognition certificate cost cut to £5 |
(about 16 hours later) | |
The fee to apply for a gender recognition certificate has been cut to £5, the government has announced. | The fee to apply for a gender recognition certificate has been cut to £5, the government has announced. |
Ministers pledged in September to slash the cost of legally changing gender from £140 after deciding against wider reforms. | Ministers pledged in September to slash the cost of legally changing gender from £140 after deciding against wider reforms. |
Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss said the reduction removed a "barrier" for transgender people. | Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss said the reduction removed a "barrier" for transgender people. |
While cost has been cited as an obstacle to applying, some LGBT groups say more work is needed. | While cost has been cited as an obstacle to applying, some LGBT groups say more work is needed. |
The BBC revealed last month that the cost would be reduced to single figures from early May. | |
A consultation was set up in 2018 to explore potential reforms to the way transgender people can apply for a gender recognition certificate (GRC) in England and Wales. This allows someone's acquired gender to be recorded on their birth and marriage certificates. | A consultation was set up in 2018 to explore potential reforms to the way transgender people can apply for a gender recognition certificate (GRC) in England and Wales. This allows someone's acquired gender to be recorded on their birth and marriage certificates. |
Cost of changing legal gender cut to less than £10 | Cost of changing legal gender cut to less than £10 |
What does transgender mean and what does the law say? | What does transgender mean and what does the law say? |
The existing process - which requires two medical reports - had been criticised as costly and bureaucratic. | The existing process - which requires two medical reports - had been criticised as costly and bureaucratic. |
The government estimates there are between 200,000 and 500,000 transgender people in the UK, although the actual figure is not known. | The government estimates there are between 200,000 and 500,000 transgender people in the UK, although the actual figure is not known. |
A total of 5,871 full GRCs have been granted since 2005, according to the latest official figures. | A total of 5,871 full GRCs have been granted since 2005, according to the latest official figures. |
In September 2020, following a highly charged debate about the potential impact of changing the law, the government announced it would not fundamentally reform the process. | In September 2020, following a highly charged debate about the potential impact of changing the law, the government announced it would not fundamentally reform the process. |
At the time, Ms Truss said there were "proper checks and balances in the system" - but pledged to make applying "kinder and more straightforward", including reducing the fee. | At the time, Ms Truss said there were "proper checks and balances in the system" - but pledged to make applying "kinder and more straightforward", including reducing the fee. |
In a statement after the reduction came into force, Ms Truss said: "As we build back better, we want transgender people to be free to live and to prosper in modern Britain." | In a statement after the reduction came into force, Ms Truss said: "As we build back better, we want transgender people to be free to live and to prosper in modern Britain." |
"In the National LGBT Survey, 34% of transgender people told us that the cost of applying for a certificate was holding them back from doing so," Ms Truss said. | "In the National LGBT Survey, 34% of transgender people told us that the cost of applying for a certificate was holding them back from doing so," Ms Truss said. |
"Today we have removed that barrier, and I am proud that we have made the process of getting a certificate fairer, simpler and much more affordable." | "Today we have removed that barrier, and I am proud that we have made the process of getting a certificate fairer, simpler and much more affordable." |
Government sources have previously told BBC News that making the service completely free would take longer because it would require primary legislation. | |
The government has also said it is working "at speed" to move the application process online. | The government has also said it is working "at speed" to move the application process online. |
However, some LGBT charities have called for more fundamental reform. | However, some LGBT charities have called for more fundamental reform. |
Lee Clatworthy, from national transgender charity Sparkle, said that the process remains "overly long-winded" and a reduction in cost "won't compel more to apply". | Lee Clatworthy, from national transgender charity Sparkle, said that the process remains "overly long-winded" and a reduction in cost "won't compel more to apply". |
Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said reducing the cost and streamlining the application process were not substitutes for "meaningful reform to the Gender Recognition Act". | Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said reducing the cost and streamlining the application process were not substitutes for "meaningful reform to the Gender Recognition Act". |
Previous version
1
Next version