The UK Government has moved to abolish the need for fertility clinics to consider the need for a father when choosing to offer treatment to women.

Under the current law, lesbians and single mothers are denied the right to IVF treatment. But this 16-year-old law is set to be revised in line with new technologies and attitudes.

Further changes proposed in a new White Paper include banning the selection of the baby’s gender for non-medical reasons, such as "family balancing".

Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, criticised the removal of the need for a father reference saying: "It's a dreadful statement to make about the role of men. Fatherhood is much more than the donation of sperm.

"We can only hope that parliament will wisely reject the absurd proposal to do away with the child's need for a father."

Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris welcomed the removal of the need for a father clause. He said: "It was unjustifiable, discriminatory and vindictive. It was also unsustainable in human rights and equality terms.

"The evidence suggests children do very well brought up by lesbian couples and solo parents, so good riddance."