For Women Scotland to stage a protest at Parliament on Thursday
On Thursday 4 September it will be 20 weeks since Lord Hodge handed down the Supreme Court decision on gender and biological sex as it relates to the Equality Act 2010. He said that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, and while the decision was widely regarded as a victory for For Women Scotland who brought the case agains The Scottish Ministers, his lordship cautioned that it should not be regarded as such. He said that the concept of sex is binary and that transgender people still had legal protection from discrimination. The judgement ran to 88 pages and can be read here.
The Scottish Government said it would take time to understand what it might have to do to observe the ruling, but some months later there are still discussions ongoing about toilets, changing rooms, other single sex spaces and trans rights. The government said that transgender people with a gender recognition certificate would be entitled to sex-based rights but For Women Scotland said they could only apply to female born individuals.
Following the ruling the government maintains that trans people should use the facilities they feel most comfortable with, and transgender women can be housed in women’s prisons as long as they do not pose an unacceptable risk to other prisoners.
On 16 August For Women Scotland said they have lodged a summons in the Court of Session and may progress this to reduce two government policies around transgender pupils in schools and transgender people in custody. These are two areas where For Women Scotland say the government have always been “in clear breach of the law”.
The government had 21 days to respond to the summons which we calculate expires on 6 September.
A spokesperson for the group For Women Scotland said as they lodged the summons for processing said: “Nothing has persuaded the government to take action and both policies remain stubbornly in place, to the detriment of vulnerable women and girls, leaving us little choice but to initiate further legal action.
“The Scottish ministers have 21 days to respond to the summons. If the policies have not been withdrawn by then we will lodge the summons for calling, and the government will have to defend its policies in court.
“We are asking the court to issue a declarator that the school guidance and the prison guidance are unlawful and that they be reduced in whole.
“We are also asking that both policies are suspended in the meantime.”
The group plans a protest outside Holyrood this week to raise the issue again saying that “very little has changed in Scotland. Trans guidance for schools remains stubbornly in place, men are still housed in female prisons and women’s hospital wards routinely accommodate men.”
Record breaking August on the tram – and looking further down the track
Edinburgh Trams carried 1.5 million passengers last month. Read more about that here. The council is adamant that the need for the new north south extension of the tramline is already made and that the consultation process is all about the route. There are two options put forward for the northern route – and you can read more about the possibilities and offer your view on the council’s consultation hub.
Later today the council’s tram team will stage the first in a series of consultation events for the public to get the facts on what is proposed.
- Drop-in at Blackhall Primary SchoolFrom 2 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 2 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at Craigmillar LibraryFrom 8 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 8 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at Southside Community CentreFrom 10 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 10 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at Granton StationFrom 15 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 15 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre From 16 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 16 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at North Edinburgh ArtsFrom 29 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 29 Sep 2025 at 19:00 More information
- Drop-in at Waverley CourtFrom 1 Oct 2025 at 16:00 to 1 Oct 2025 at 19:00 More information
This week at the council
Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025
- 10.00 am Education, Children and Families Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers The campaign group REPAIR continues to campaign against what it regards as the council’s shortcomings as far as care of their children is concerned.
- There are several deputations of which REPAIR is just one. Read all of the written deputations below
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Open in new tab Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025
- 10.00 am Development Management Sub-Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers. Councillors will discuss the proposals for Mecca Bingo Hall, 26 Manderston Street, Edinburgh – Conversion of existing bingo hall to form purpose built student accommodation including new build extension to the south east of the existing building, and areas of infill to the south west upper floor and north elevation, refurbishment of railway arch to form cycle parking, associated landscaped courtyard, amenity space, and associated works – application no. 24/01162/FUL
Thursday, 4th September, 2025
- 10.00 am Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers. This is such a hornets’ nest it is best to read what Ben of Edi.Bike has written here. He feels the quasi judicial committee is in danger of working outside its remit and its powers. There has been a great tangled story of councillors asking for funding details to back transport proposals before approving them which is a bit of horse and cart. Read Edi.Bike’s article about the TRO Sub-committee here where he also refers to a transcript of the previous subcommittee which he published.
Friday, 5th September, 2025
- 10.00 am Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee – Usher Building – 5 Little France Road, Edinburgh EH16 4UX
Gaza
The Scottish Cabinet will discuss Gaza today when they meet.
The First Minister, John Swinney, explained the background to their discussions. He said:“As each day passes the crisis for the people of Gaza grows ever more terrifying. More than 63,000 people have died from bullets, bombs and starvation. Yet Israel has ignored all international calls for a ceasefire or to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
“The Scottish Government has repeatedly called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and an urgent influx of humanitarian aid to Gaza. We will continue to press the UK Government to recognise a sovereign Palestinian state, as part of a two-state solution to secure lasting peace in the region.
“I continue to share the concerns of other governments and international leaders that actions of Israel in Gaza constitute genocide and we’ve called for an urgent response. But we cannot sit back and watch the horror unfold while we wait for action. Tomorrow I will meet with my Cabinet and we will discuss a range of measures we can take to support the people of Gaza.
“I will update Parliament on Wednesday afternoon with the actions we are taking to show our solidarity with the Gazan people and to help end this barbaric conflict.
“Today I met with Dr Husam Zomlot, Head of Palestinian Mission, to show Scotland’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, and also members of the Jewish Community, including the Chief Rabbi of Scotland, to reassure them of this government’s steadfast opposition to antisemitism and reaffirm their valued contribution to Scotland’s civic society.”
Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun begins next weekend
Volunteer Marshalls and run directors congregated at the weekend to get ready for the inaugural park run next weekend.
The 2k parkrun is free for 4 to 14 year olds every Sunday at 9.30am but participants should register. Full details on the Junior Parkrun website and on the Longstone Community Council Bluesky page.
