The UK government has announced its intention to revise policies around the recording of gender and biological sex within public services, particularly in healthcare.

Downing Street emphasized the necessity for public services to maintain accurate records of biological sex, describing it as 'common sense'.

This statement follows the recommendations of an independent review led by Professor Anne Sullivan, which sought to address the growing concern of conflating gender identity with biological sex in statistical recordings.

The review highlighted a trend in public services to combine questions about sex and gender, asserting that these are distinct concepts that should be treated separately.

Professor Sullivan’s report specifically criticizes the practice of permitting individuals to change their gender markers in NHS records and suggests that mandatory data collection on biological sex is crucial for various health and safety reasons.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated the importance of accurate biological sex data for ensuring patient safety and supporting public health initiatives, particularly cancer screening.

He stated that this information is essential not only for research but also for clinical care.

The report has consequently been shared with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other relevant departments.

In line with these findings, the report advised that police forces should be instructed by the Home Secretary to stop allowing changes to sex markers in their data systems and recommended suspending the issuance of new NHS numbers and changed gender markers.

Critics argue that the current approach risks losing vital data necessary for clinical care and safeguarding, especially concerning children.

Furthermore, the Health Secretary noted the importance of accurate data for preventative health activities and acknowledged that the government will implement the review's suggestions as part of its broader health strategy.

Other ministers underscored the role accurate public health data plays in influencing policy and ensuring public safety.

Professor Sullivan stressed the need for a clear distinction between the concepts of sex and gender, asserting that data on biological sex should be collected by default in government-related research and public data collection initiatives.

She suggested that the existing confusion around these terms necessitates decisive leadership to clarify policies across various sectors.

The government has responded positively to the review's conclusions, asserting that accurate data collection is vital for effective public services and research.

The Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed that while gender identity should be recognized, a strict distinction must be made with biological sex, particularly in regards to healthcare and public safety.