Nearly one in three MSPs and their staff claim they don’t know what toilet to use since new rules were introduced determining access by biological sex.

An internal Scottish Parliament survey found that only 68 per cent of people based in the MSP block at Holyrood reported a ‘reasonable understanding’ of which facilities they are designated to use.

Scottish Parliament officials updated their policy on access to toilets and changing rooms last May in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

Under the new approach, male, female, gender-neutral and accessible toilets are all provided for MSPs, staff and visitors at the Scottish Parliament.

But the internal survey found that a minority of those working in the MSP block believe the policy is ‘fair and inclusive’.

Across all staff based in the building, 74 per cent said they felt they ‘understand which facilities are designated for me to use’ but this figure falls to just 68 per cent for those based in the MSP block, which is MSPs and their staff.

Only 51 per cent of all staff think the current approach is ‘fair and inclusive’ and this falls to just 45 per cent for those based in the MSP block.

Holyrood officials launched the survey as they continue to review their approach.

Green MSP Q Manivannan, one of two openly trans MSPs elected in the Holyrood elections, last month called for a review of the policy.

A report on the findings of the survey, carried out by Optima Workplace Performance, said: ‘Most respondents (74 per cent) report a reasonable understanding of which facilities they are designated to use under the interim stance. 

'There is small variation between sexes with 75 per cent of males and 83 per cent of females understanding the stance.

‘The 26 per cent who don’t understand the stance has a higher proportion of employees who are trans, non-binary, disabled and neurodivergent.

‘Levels of understanding vary by building, with lower confidence reported in areas such as the MSP Block (68 per cent).’

It says that confidence that a suitable facility is available is ‘broadly positive overall’ but that ‘views on whether the current mix of facilities feels fair and inclusive are more mixed than for understanding or confidence, with higher neutrality and disagreement’.

It says key words mentioned by respondents include ‘gender’, ‘neutral’, and ‘trans’.

The report says: ‘The strength of the language in free-text feedback indicates that the interim stance is experienced as a personal and identity-linked issue, not just an operational one.

‘This verbatim commentary is sourced from both individuals directly impacted by the stance and from employees who are not.’

The most popular improvement recommended by the survey was more single-occupancy options.

Lorna Hunter, director of people, communications and inclusion at the Scottish Parliament, said the survey will help to ensure the voices of those who work in and visit Holyrood are reflected in the future design and delivery of facilities, policies and services.

In a message to parliament staff, she said: ‘We will build on these findings to develop and assess options for improvement.

‘Any proposals will be proportionate, evidence-based and deliverable within the constraints of the estate. They will also be informed by inclusive and accessible design principles, so that options are both practical and technically robust.’