Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Abbott Excerpts

Wednesday 29th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Stephen Timms]

I am sorry to hear about what has happened in the hon. Member’s constituency, and I very much agree with him. We recently received the report of our expert academic panel on neurodiversity in the workplace, which was set up last year, and are carefully considering its recommendations. We will act as he suggested.

[Jack Abbott (Ipswich) (Lab/Co-op)]

3. What steps she is taking to ban conversion practices.

[Rachel Taylor (North Warwickshire and Bedworth) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to ban conversion practices.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)]

Conversion practices tell people that their identity is wrong, that it can be changed, and that they should be subjected to physical and emotional abuse to change it. These acts are abusive, they are abhorrent, and the Government will outlaw them as soon as possible.

[Jack Abbott]

As the Minister says, conversion therapy is dangerous, widely discredited and frankly barbaric, and it is about time we got rid of it. Suffolk Pride’s fringe festival starts next month with Pride Blooms. I ask the Minister to make a powerful statement today, and to say that this terrible practice will end under the Labour Government.

[Olivia Bailey]

My hon. Friend is right. Conversion practices are dangerous, discredited and abusive, and I can make a commitment to everyone taking part in Suffolk Pride that this Labour Government will ban them. I am working on legislation as a matter of urgency; I know how important it is for the community, and we will publish draft legislation as soon as possible.