<p>London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a landmark ruling that the legal definition of a woman under equality laws should be based on biological sex provided much-needed clarity and a clear position to underpin gender policies.</p><p>The Supreme Court ruled on April 16 that single-sex services for women, such as refuges, hospital wards and sports, could exclude trans women, clearing up legal ambiguity.</p><p>Starmer, in his first comments since the ruling, said he welcomed it. "I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it's a much clearer position," he told broadcasters. "We can move on from there and I think that's been very helpful, and I would welcome that."</p>.India, UK talks for proposed pact moving towards final stages: Sources.<p>The judgment, which followed action by the "For Women Scotland" group, was welcomed by those who have argued that transgender policies have infringed on the rights of biological women.</p><p>Trans rights campaigners, however, said the ruling would have harmful implications on both a legal and practical level, and could lead to trans people being excluded from parts of society.</p><p>The Supreme Court stressed that the Equality Act afforded trans people - whether trans women or men - protection against discrimination or harassment.</p><p>Starmer has previously struggled to adopt a clear position on the definition of a woman amid the complex debate around gender and the rights of trans women and biological women.</p><p>He told the Sunday Times in 2023 that "for 99.9% of women, it is completely biological ... and of course they haven't got a penis".</p><p>Later that year his position had changed - he told BBC radio: "Firstly, a woman is an adult female, so let's clear that up."</p><p>On Tuesday, he said the court had "made it absolutely clear" that a woman was an adult female.</p><p>Public bodies, such as health services, will have to review their policies on single-sex spaces following the ruling.</p><p>Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson told BBC radio the Equality and Human Rights Commission "will be setting out additional guidance and a statutory code of practice" to ensure everyone had the ability to access services that were safe and appropriate.</p>
<p>London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a landmark ruling that the legal definition of a woman under equality laws should be based on biological sex provided much-needed clarity and a clear position to underpin gender policies.</p><p>The Supreme Court ruled on April 16 that single-sex services for women, such as refuges, hospital wards and sports, could exclude trans women, clearing up legal ambiguity.</p><p>Starmer, in his first comments since the ruling, said he welcomed it. "I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it's a much clearer position," he told broadcasters. "We can move on from there and I think that's been very helpful, and I would welcome that."</p>.India, UK talks for proposed pact moving towards final stages: Sources.<p>The judgment, which followed action by the "For Women Scotland" group, was welcomed by those who have argued that transgender policies have infringed on the rights of biological women.</p><p>Trans rights campaigners, however, said the ruling would have harmful implications on both a legal and practical level, and could lead to trans people being excluded from parts of society.</p><p>The Supreme Court stressed that the Equality Act afforded trans people - whether trans women or men - protection against discrimination or harassment.</p><p>Starmer has previously struggled to adopt a clear position on the definition of a woman amid the complex debate around gender and the rights of trans women and biological women.</p><p>He told the Sunday Times in 2023 that "for 99.9% of women, it is completely biological ... and of course they haven't got a penis".</p><p>Later that year his position had changed - he told BBC radio: "Firstly, a woman is an adult female, so let's clear that up."</p><p>On Tuesday, he said the court had "made it absolutely clear" that a woman was an adult female.</p><p>Public bodies, such as health services, will have to review their policies on single-sex spaces following the ruling.</p><p>Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson told BBC radio the Equality and Human Rights Commission "will be setting out additional guidance and a statutory code of practice" to ensure everyone had the ability to access services that were safe and appropriate.</p>