Education secretary does not think 16 is too young to change gender; says SNP voted for power allowing Westminster veto
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<p>Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has told Sky News she does not think 16 is too young to change gender.
Ms Keegan was asked by Kay Burley if the age limit set out in the Scottish gender reform bill was too low.
She replied: “No, I don’t actually.
“I was working at 16, I was paying tax at 16, I could make decisions for myself at 16.
“But it’s not really about what I think.
“It’s how we make sure we get that right balance of supporting children, but also making sure that what they’re getting taught in schools is age appropriate.”
Nicola Sturgeon has claimed the UK government is launching a “full-frontal attack” on democracy by using powers in the devolution agreement to block the bill passed in Holyrood.
Ms Keegan said: “Well, I wouldn’t agree with that.
“I mean, the Scotland Act deliberately was set up with this power in it, and I think it was set up about 25 years ago, anticipating that there could be times when it looked a bit messy or there was legislation that could potentially be competing… it was legislation written by a Labour government, voted for by the SNP.
“So everybody agreed on the Scotland Act, and the structure of it and the fact that there would be this power and when it was to be used.
“And obviously what we can’t have is a lack of clarity in law in terms of gender, gender recognition, having two… schemes in place across Great Britain.”
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