Puberty blockers Streeting to explain ban amid criticism from MPs

Wes Streeting is expected to tell MPs his reasons for supporting a ban on puberty blockers being prescribed to children for gender-based reasons, amid discontent in his own party.

- Ben Quinn , Peter Walker

After growing criticism among some Labour MPs, the health secretary has defended his backing of an emergency ban on the drugs, imposed by his Conservative predecessor, Victoria Atkins, that is being challenged in the high court.

In a lengthy thread on X on Sunday, he cited the Cass review into gender identity services as saying there was currently not enough evidence about the impact on young people of using puberty-suppressing hormones, which are occasionally used for children with gender dysphoria.

He is understood to be "minded" to make the ban permanent, subject to consultation and outcome of the judicial review. He is expected to issue a written ministerial statement to parliament on Thursday.

But colleagues, including Stella Creasy, the Walthamstow MP, said that, while the review published earlier this year by the paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass recommended caution, this did not mean a complete ban.

News of Streeting's decision prompted a reaction from several Labour MPs, including Kim Johnson, who described it as "concerning".

"Labour's manifesto promised to 'remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition & acceptance' - this entails ending the ban on puberty blockers," she said on X.