How do I handle illegal interview questions in the UK?

Recognise the categories: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation. Direct questions on these are usually unlawful.

First response: redirect. 'How does that relate to the role?' is professional and assertive without escalating. Most UK interviewers will recognise the redirect and move on.

Alternative: pivot to the role. 'I prefer to focus on what I can bring to the position' lets you decline gracefully without confrontation.

Document afterwards. Write down what was asked, by whom, when. If you suspect the question affected the hiring decision, this evidence supports a tribunal claim.

Don't volunteer the information. Even if you have answers you're happy to share (e.g., 'I'm not planning to have kids'), volunteering them normalises the questioning and can hurt other candidates.

Consider reporting. For senior roles or repeat patterns, the recruiter or HR can be told privately. For severe cases, EHRC or tribunal claims are available.