Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether a teacher declining to support a pupil's social transition will fall within the definition of an abusive conversion practice in the draft Conversion Practices Bill.

The draft Bill will not prevent parents from making choices on how to raise their children. Furthermore, it will not criminalise individuals, including teachers and other safeguarding professionals, for simply expressing views and beliefs or having explanatory conversations. Schools should act in line with government guidance as set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are preventing a very specific, severe form of abuse. Conversion practices captured by the legislation are abusive acts that intend to change a person's sexual orientation or transgender identity and which cause serious harm. Acts will not be criminalised unless they meet the high thresholds set out in the draft Bill.

The draft Bill is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. We welcome this opportunity to make sure a ban is effective.