The UK government has confirmed that it will uphold its block on Scotland’s plan to simplify the process of changing one’s gender identity. Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which passed in December, would allow anyone above the age of 16 to self-identify their gender. However, UK secretary of state for Scotland, Alister Jack, blocked the bill in January. The UK government cited the bill’s negative impact on UK-wide equality protection as the reason for the block. Last month, Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf said that his government would challenge the UK government’s decision in court. Critics of the bill argue that the self-identification system could be exploited and could lead to abuse in women’s spaces. Scotland’s stance on transgender rights gained attention after a biological male double-rapist was sent to a women’s prison.