The prime minister claimed that, “as is perfectly regular practice,” the administration was seeking opinion on the potential effects of the reforms.
He omitted, though, to indicate whether Westminster will make an effort to stop the law.
The first nation in the UK to allow a self-identification process for anyone wishing to change their gender is Scotland.
The contentious changes reduce the eligibility age for a gender recognition certificate (GRC) from 18 to 16, and they are anticipated to take effect later this year.
Additionally, they eliminate the necessity for a gender dysphoria diagnosis by requiring applicants to have lived as their adopted gender for only three months rather than two years, or six months if they are 16 or older.
In Scotland, Sunak and Sturgeon had a private conversation.
What gender changes have Scotland made?
According to the Scottish government, the current application process can be intrusive and upsetting, which discourages individuals from seeking for a GRC.
The Equalities Act’s provisions for women-only venues, as well as the consequences for UK-wide documents and some social security payments, have raised concerns, though.
This has given rise to rumors that the UK government may invoke Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the implementation of the new law.
Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, is empowered under the rules to block the Royal Assent of legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament if he thinks it will negatively impact Westminster-reserved matters.
By the middle of next week, he must decide whether to do so. If he does, the Scottish government will virtually probably file a lawsuit to have the measures overturned.
Mr. Sunak claimed the government was awaiting some “final advice” when he spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland show.
Naturally, this is a very delicate subject, and I am aware that there were intense discussions and exchanges about it as the measure was being passed in Scotland.
“The impact of the bill across the United Kingdom is what I’m worried about. The UK government would heed such recommendation, as is customary.
“There might be effects across the UK, and we need to be aware of them and comprehend their effects.
That is what we are doing, and the government will outline the following measures as soon as it has gotten the final recommendation.
Any attempt by the UK government to undermine the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament will be forcefully opposed, according to the Scottish government’s earlier statement.
The question of whether the UK government would provide Royal Assent, according to Stephen Flynn, the leader of the SNP at Westminster, goes beyond the problem of gender recognition and people’s opinions on it.
This is about democracy, he declared. The Scottish Parliament has approved legislation that falls under the purview of devolved powers, and Westminster is required to see to it that the legislation is fully enacted.
On Thursday night, Mr. Sunak began a two-day trip to Scotland, his first since being elected prime minister. He met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in private at a hotel in Inverness.
The debates, which included topics like the NHS, the economy, and Scottish independence, were characterized as “cordial.”
The locations of two “green freeports” in Scotland, which are anticipated to be at locations on the Cromarty Firth and the Forth, will be revealed jointly by the two governments on Friday.
As part of the plan, tax incentives will be employed to encourage investment and economic growth in the two sectors.