How England's new single-sex toilet law will work: Everything you need to know ... trends now

A host of new buildings must be constructed with separate toilets for men and women under laws announced by the Government on Monday.

Updated regulations mean newly-constructed public buildings across England will have to include single-sex facilities from later this year.

Ministers hope the change will end the spread of 'gender-neutral' bathrooms that women have to share with men using urinals or cubicles.

So, what exactly are the new laws? Which buildings will they apply to and how will they work? 

Read on below for everything you need to know about England's new single-sex toilet law.  

The laws stipulate that new restaurants, shopping centres and offices must be built with separate toilets for men and women. 

However, where there is not enough space, a self-contained universal toilet – including a washbasin – may be provided instead. 

Universal toilets can also be provided in addition to single-sex facilities.

While the laws have been brought in to cover restaurants, shopping centres and offices, there are some sites the laws will not apply to. 

Residential homes, ensuite facilities in individual rooms for residential purposes, residential rooms in care homes, cells in custodial facilities, premises used wholly or mainly for early years provision, or schools will be exempt from the new law. 

Separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged eight years or over must already be provided in schools, except where the toilet is in a room that can be secured from the inside and intended for use by one pupil at a time. 

In addition, any existing buildings with similar structures will be unaffected.