In a unique intervention, the British government is to block a controversial Scottish bill designed to make it easier for people to change their legal gender, saying it would have a significant impact on existing equality protections.

This is the first time a Scottish law has been blocked in such a way. The British Government's Scottish Secretary Alister Jack speaks to the House of Commons today about the step and set out the reasons for it. 

He will cite concerns over the proposed law’s effect on legal rights to run single-sex clubs, associations and schools, as well as rules on equal pay for men and women.

Having two different gender recognition schemes risks creating "significant complications," including "allowing more fraudulent or bad faith applications", Alister Jack said.

Attack

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she will oppose the move she described as a "full-frontal attack" on the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: "This is a dark day for trans rights and a dark day for democracy in the UK.”

The Gender Recognition Bill, passed by 86 votes to 39 in the Scottish Parliament last month, lowers the age that people can apply for a gender recognition certificate, a legal document confirming a gender change – from 18 to 16.

It abolishes the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, with applicants only needing to have lived as their acquired gender for three months rather than two years – or six months if they are aged 16 or 17.

Concerns have been expressed that the ability to "self-identify" as a woman could impact on women's rights and access to single-sex spaces such as changing rooms.