Final vote to take place at Scottish Parliament on Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

MSPs are finally expected to vote through legislation which will simplify the process for a person to obtain a gender recognition certificate after three days of consideration of amendments at the Scottish Parliament.

It has been the Scottish Government’s aim to get the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill through Holyrood before the Christmas recess.

Those who had concerns over the Bill had called for more time to be given to consider fully its implications, with an attempt to have it pushed back until January failing.

In a busy final week at Holyrood before MSPs take leave for the festive period, debate over the more than 150 proposed amendments have stretched over several days.

The parliament sat until quarter past midnight to conclude Tuesday’s sitting, before the remaining amendments were discussed on Wednesday late into the night.

Voting on all amendments ultimately drew to a close shortly after 1am on Thursday morning.

A final vote on the legislation is now expected to take place on Thursday afternoon at around 2.45pm.

Supporters of the Bill say that it will make the process for someone to obtain a gender recognition certificate easier.

However, opponents have argued that it could put women and girls at risk.

MSPs voted on Tuesday against an amendment which had sought to block the lowering of the eligibility age for a certificate from 18 to 16.

Scotland’s social justice secretary insisted that young people believe they should be able to make their own decisions.

The reforms are being brought about following concerns that the current process can be intrusive and distressing for transgender people.

But, campaign groups have stated the need to protect sex-based rights for women and girls.