GRC Cost Slashed But Does Reform Do Enough?

The BBC News Channel reports that the cost of legally changing gender identity on official records has been slashed, in accordance with a government promise published last year. The fee for a Gender Recognition Certificate is now just five pounds, down from one hundred and forty pounds. Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss told television reportters that the reduction removed a "barrier" for transgender people. Lee Clatworthy, from national transgender charity Sparkle, said that the process remains "overly long-winded" and a reduction in cost "won't compel more to apply". Also expressing reservation was Nancy Kelly from the premier lobbying charity Stonewall. She pointed out that streamlining the process, whilst welcome was not a substitute for the fundamental reform many trans campaign groups had hoped for.