Labour moves to ban puberty blockers permanently
by Michael Searles, Telegraph:
Wes Streeting to agree with Tory ruling on powerful drugs for under-18s as party toughens stance on trans issues.
A ban on puberty blockers could be made permanent as the Labour Party takes a harder stance on transgender issues, The Telegraph can reveal.
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, intends to stop powerful hormone blockers being given to children via any means, subject to the outcome of a legal hearing.
Laws to ban the blockers being supplied to children by private or off-shore clinics were passed by Victoria Atkins, his predecessor, in emergency legislation ahead of the general election.
But these are due to expire on Sept 3 and the new Government had to decide whether to pass a law to make it permanent. It is understood Labour will now seek to renew the ban with a view to making it permanent.
Mr Streeting said he would “always put the safety of children first”, adding: “Our approach will continue to be informed by Dr Cass’s review, which found there was insufficient evidence to show puberty blockers were safe for under-18s.
“This ban brings the private sector in line with the NHS. We are committed to providing young people with the evidence-led care that they deserve.”
JK Rowling backed the move in a number of posts on X, formerly Twitter, citing studies detailing reported negative effects of puberty blockers and praising Mr Streeting for doing the “right” thing.
It comes after criticism of the party for its stance on women’s rights.
The appointment of Anneliese Dodds as the minister for women and equalities sparked a row this week, with Lesbian Labour, which claims to represent “the voices of lesbians in the Labour Party”, saying Ms Dodds “doesn’t get it”.
JK Rowling, Martina Navratilova and other feminist campaigners hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Ms Dodds, who has previously said there are many definitions of a woman.