UK Government Ignores Consultation Feedback to Push Harmful Ban on Puberty Blockers for Trans Youth

The recent announcement by Wes Streeting and the UK Government to implement a permanent ban on puberty blockers for under-18s is a shocking decision, particularly in light of the results of their own consultation. This move reflects a troubling disregard for the wellbeing of transgender youth, as well as the views of healthcare professionals and organisations, all of whom the government itself hand-picked to participate.

This consultation was not open to the public and instead featured a select group of organisations, including known anti-trans lobby groups such as Transgender Trend, Sex Matters, Thoughtful Therapists, Bayswater Support Group, Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG), and the LGB Alliance. Despite this biased selection process, a majority of respondents to the consultation opposed a ban on puberty blockers and acknowledged that such a ban would harm trans youth.

The UK Government has ignored the findings from their own consultation into banning puberty blockers

The majority of the consultation respondents opposed a permanent ban on puberty blockers

59% of consultation respondents opposed a permanent ban on puberty blockers

Of the 51 consultation respondents, 6 organisations responded from Northern Ireland specifically (12% of total responses), and 18 were UK-wide organisations (35%).

Responses were split between those:

• opposing the permanent order - 59%

• supporting the permanent order - 27%

• neither for nor against - 14%

59% of consultation respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with a permanent ban on puberty blockers

Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with making the arrangements in the emergency order permanent?

Of the 51 respondents to this question:

• 9 strongly agreed

• 5 agreed

• 7 neither agreed not disagreed

• 5 disagreed

• 25 strongly disagreed

Both supporters and opponents raised the concern of a potential negative impact on mental health and misinformation around puberty blockers.

This was the most common theme for the negative impacts of the emergency order - yet Wes Streeting and the Labour Government entirely ignored this.

Question: In your experience, what have been the negative impacts of the emergency order?

Among the 14 supporters, 2 common themes emerged for the negative impacts of the emergency order.

• A potential negative impact on mental health

• A potential increase in misinformation surrounding puberty blockers

The government’s decision to proceed with a ban, ignoring this majority, demonstrates an ideologically driven agenda against trans rights and healthcare. It sends a chilling message that the voices of medical professionals, trans-supportive organisations, and, most importantly, the young people and families directly affected by these policies, are not being heard or valued.

Flawed Consultation Process

The organisations chosen for this consultation also included those with a history of opposition to trans healthcare. These groups have repeatedly pushed narratives rooted in misinformation and fear, rather than evidence-based, patient-centred care. This bias in the consultation design raises significant concerns about its legitimacy and ideological bias.

Even within this context, the majority of responses did not support a ban on puberty blockers. This critical outcome highlights that even those cherry-picked for their views could not present overwhelming support for the government's predetermined agenda.

Ignoring Evidence and Expert Opinion

Puberty blockers are a well-established, reversible medical intervention that has been used safely for decades. Numerous reputable health organisations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and Endocrine Society, endorse their use as part of affirming care for trans youth. Research consistently shows that access to puberty blockers significantly improves mental health outcomes and reduces the risk of self-harm and suicide ideation among transgender adolescents.

By banning puberty blockers, the government is ignoring this wealth of evidence in favour of catering to ideologically driven groups. This decision sets a dangerous precedent, prioritising political ideology over medical ethics and professional guidance.

Trans-Supportive Labour MPs Ignored

Even within the Labour Party, voices of trans-supportive MPs have been blatantly disregarded in the government’s decision-making process. MPs like Alex Sobel, who has warned that this ban will be used as an attack on trans young people, Nadia Whittome who stated that banning puberty blockers would cause real harm to some of the most vulnerable young people in our society, and implored Wes Streeting to listen to trans voices. Kate Osborne has similarly pointed out that “These restrictions on puberty blockers remove the clinical expertise from medical decision-making and significantly impact young trans people and their families." Despite their efforts, the government has chosen to ignore both trans-supportive MPs and the evidence they champion.

This additionally underscores the systemic failure to consider trans-inclusive voices in shaping policy.

The Harmful Impact on Trans Youth

The effects of this decision will be devastating for trans youth in the UK. Denying them access to essential healthcare increases their risk of experiencing severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. This has been detailed in the important research into the impact of banning puberty blockers conducted by Dr Natacha Kennedy in her paper “Children of Omelas; Effects of the UK Puberty Blocker Ban”. 

The “indefinite” ban on puberty blockers also forces families to seek care abroad, creating significant financial and emotional burdens, or to forgo care altogether. 

For a government that claims to support all children, this move underscores their willingness to sacrifice the lives and futures of transgender youth in order to appease anti-trans voices.

Anne Health’s Call to Action

At Anne Health, we firmly oppose this ban and stand in solidarity with trans youth, their families, and the trans+ community. We call on the government to:

• Reverse the decision and reinstate access to puberty blockers for trans youth, guided by medical professionals and evidence-based protocols.

• Commit to listening to trans youth and their families impacted by this devastating ban and prioritise the voices of affected communities, medical experts, and evidence, not ideological bias.

• Address the growing impact of anti-trans lobbying on healthcare policy and ensure that the rights of trans youth are protected.

We urge individuals, organisations, and allies to speak out against this harmful ban and to advocate for accessible, affirming, and evidence-based healthcare for trans youth. This fight is far from over. While we step in as a non-profit organisation to fill the void left by the NHS in providing timely, gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth, we also remain committed to challenging policies that endanger the lives of trans people of all ages.