For over 200 years the Census has asked “What is your sex”. This year there will also be an *extra* question asking about gender identity. That’s great. Two questions about two different concepts - lots of useful information /1

One question about facts – the sex you were born.
One question about feelings – how people identity and live.
The extra question will give us our first accurate indication of the size of the trans community. A move welcomed by everyone /2

So what's the problem? It's that trans pressure groups such as Stonewall say it's not enough that trans people have their own gender identity question. They think trans people should be allowed to answer BOTH questions according to gender identity /3

They say it's simply too offensive and hurtful to ask trans person a factual question about sex they were registered at birth. So now an undefined number of people will be allowed to put the wrong answer to the sex question so we don’t hurt anyone's feelings /4

This has alarmed scientists who need accurate data on sex.
Last year 80 academics, including Professors from top universities, wrote to the ONS saying they mustn’t do this /5