Multiple MPs have criticised the Health Secretary’s decision, including those from his own party
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
MPs across parties, including Kate Osborne and Sian Berry, have responded to the Health Secretary’s announcement that the ban on prescribing puberty blockers to trans under-18s would be made permanent. The decision has been called “hugely disappointing” and “at heart discriminatory”.
In a statement in the House of Commons, Osborne brought up a Council of Europe report that criticised the ban. It noted the decision may breach “the fundamental ethical principles of governing research.” Osborne added that she was “hugely disappointed” by the move and highlighted the dangers this poses for young trans people.
“These restrictions on puberty blockers remove the clinical expertise from medical decision making and significantly impacts young trans people and their families,” she said. “And I’m hugely disappointed to hear the contents of this statement today.”
Rachel Taylor also spoke about the case of a school child in her constituency who developed anorexia in order to stop his periods and prevent breasts from growing. Taylor urged the Government to “take this issue seriously and work together, rather than make this into a culture war”.
Osborne and Taylor were joined by the Green Party’s Sian Berry, who said the bill was “at heart discriminatory” and expressed worry and fear about the blanket ban. They were joined by Labour MP Alex Sobel, who said: “This will be used as an attack on trans young people.”
Nadia Whittome asked what consideration the Heath Secretary had given to the mental health of young trans people. “Too many young trans people are already in or at high risk of mental health crisis, what consideration has the Secretary of State given to the impact of this decision on their mental health?”
In response, the Health Secretary said the order was based on evidence found by the Commission of Human Medicines that showed the prescribing environment around puberty blockers posed an “unacceptable safety risk”. But he has continued to face criticism from his own party.
The ban will be reviewed in 2027 and those who received a valid prescription for puberty blockers in the six months prior to 3 June and 27 August can seek a continuation of their prescription from a UK registered clinician.
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