The government has confirmed it is working to reverse the “rise in gender-neutral toilets” as part of its wider efforts to protect single-sex spaces.

Regulations will mean single-sex toilets because the default and minimum for new non-residential buildings and those undertaking major refurbishment.

The guidelines will also encourage the consideration of self-contained toilets, which is a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

The government has previously clarified that disabled toilet provision will not be affected by the changes.

Kemi Badenoch, minister for women and equalities, said: “It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. Yet the move towards ‘gender neutral’ toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls.

“These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of all.”

A previous call for evidence on increasing the accessibility of toilets for men and women had more than 17,000 responses and represented a full range of views.

The government said these responses generally called for greater consideration in the range of toilets to preserve dignity, access, equality and privacy for all.

Parliamentary undersecretary of state for faith and communities, Baroness Scott, said: “It is extremely important women can feel comfortable when using public facilities, so we are taking action to restore dignity and privacy at the centre of all future provision.

“These proposals will mean separate toilets for men and women, as well as self-contained toilets for those that need them, become a requirement for every new building across England.”