RBS backs self-declaration in Gender Recognition Act consultation

The RBS Group has submitted a supportive response to the UK government’s consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in England and Wales.

The consultation follows a similar consultation by the Scottish Government earlier this year.

Writing on the RBS website, Nicholas Crapp, LGBT sponsor at RBS, said its response “makes clear that we believe changing the identity rules in the UK to reflect the needs and rights of trans and non-binary people is hugely important”.

He added: “RBS supports the adoption of a self-declaration system for legal gender recognition in the UK. We have already adopted this process in the RBS workplace to ensure that colleagues can bring their whole selves to work each and every day, free of judgement, as part of our goal of ensuring all our staff are comfortable in their surroundings. We also extend the same levels of support to our trans and non-binary customers, allowing customers to self-declare gender changes with no requirement for additional evidence.

“As LGBT sponsor for the bank, it is part of my job to make sure due care and attention is given to issues such as these and to make sure we are looking out for all of our LGBT colleagues and customers.”