Changing Places toilets for disabled people to be compulsory

Large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for new buildings in England from 2021.

Shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues will be required to include at least one Changing Place, a government spokesman said.

The facilities include hoists, changing benches and space for carers.

Campaigner Zack Kerr said the announcement was "nothing short of life changing".

A government spokesman said there were more than 1,400 Changing Places toilets in the UK, compared with 140 in 2007, but more were needed to support about 250,000 severely disabled people.

• Read more: 'Changing Places' campaigners celebrate victory over accessible toilets in hospitals

• Read the full government response here