Downing Street directs civil servants on recording biological sex

Downing Street has instructed civil servants to use "common sense" in collecting important data on biological sex. This directive follows a critical report that indicated failure to keep track of sex has led to issues in healthcare and law enforcement. The report, led by Professor Alice Sullivan, revealed that cancer referrals and criminal convictions were missed because sex data was not accurately recorded. It highlighted that NHS patients could change their gender on medical records, which contributed to the problem. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that recording biological sex is essential for both research and patient safety. He reassured that this focus on biological sex would not compromise the acknowledgment of individuals' gender identities. Furthermore, there are concerns about activism and impartiality in how data is collected in government departments. The Conservative Party has called for accountability for those who have removed biological information from records, seeking consequences for these actions.