Oral Answers to Questions

Manuela Perteghella Excerpts

Wednesday 10th December 2025 Commons Chamber

The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked—

[Manuela Perteghella (Stratford-on-Avon) (LD)]

1. If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her timetable for bringing forward legislative proposals to ban conversion practices on affected people.

[Mr Alex Barros-Curtis (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

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

[The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)]

Conversion practices are abuse, they cause long-lasting harm, and they have no place in our society. We will bring our comprehensive, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices before the House as soon as possible.

[Manuela Perteghella]

LGBTQ rights campaigners have warned that the Government’s continued delay on banning conversion practices is dangerous and leaves vulnerable people without protection. Every month of delay leaves people exposed to practices that the Government themselves have said are abusive. Will the Minister now set out a clear timeline and give a firm commitment that the Government will not drag their heels on this any longer?

[Olivia Bailey]

As I have just said, conversion practices are abusive and we will ban them. All LGBT people deserve to live freely and without fear, shame or discrimination. This legislation is a priority for the Government, as set out in the King’s Speech.

--- Later in debate ---

[Manuela Perteghella (Stratford-on-Avon) (LD)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)]

This Government are reinforcing our commitment to championing the rights of disabled people. This month we celebrate Disability History Month, and we marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities last week. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We will continue our work to boost opportunities for disabled people, including by developing our plan for disability, which will outline our priorities for removing barriers faced by disabled people.

[Manuela Perteghella]

Women in rural areas often have to travel long distances to reach a refuge, police station or basic support services. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the impact that travelling those long distances has on the safety of victims of domestic abuse, and what action is being taken to close the rural support gap?

[Bridget Phillipson]

I do recognise that challenge. That is why in developing our violence against women and girls strategy we heard from victims in rural areas to understand what more is needed to ensure that they can access the services and support that they need.