Equalities Minister Justine Greening says people seeking to legally change gender will have to prove they have been in transition for at least two years. But they will not need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria a requirement seen as intrusive by many trans people.
Greening says the Conservative government wants to tackle "some of the historic prejudices that still persist in our laws."
Suzanna Hopwood of LGBT group Stonewall says the change announced Sunday will help fix a "demeaning and broken" system.
The plan has to go through consultation and legislation stages before becoming law.