Equality and Human Rights Commission

Not-for-profit organisations (except those established by Parliament) are permitted to restrict their membership to people of one sex, and can provide benefits, facilities and services to those members. They do not have to be a 'private club': they can do this even if their membership is open to the public or a section of the public. Also, If the main object of a voluntary organisation is to confer benefits on people of one sex only then it can confer those benefits even on non-members and it does not have to restrict its membership to one sex to do so.

This does not apply to not-for-profit organisations established by parliament. They cannot restrict membership or limit their provision of services unless they fall within another exception.