Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Questioning: Guidance in Schools

Monday 19 January 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rosie Duffield inquired about the delay in publishing guidance for gender-questioning children in schools, noting the lack of progress despite a promise to publish by the end of 2025.
  • Saqib Bhatti criticized the government for failing to meet the promised publication date and urged immediate action to protect children from potential long-term psychological harm.
  • The Department stated that the guidance is being developed with careful consideration of consultation responses, evidence, stakeholders' views, and the Cass review to ensure it benefits children.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
Women & Equalities
Context

The Secretary of State previously promised to publish the draft non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges on gender-questioning children by the end of 2025. However, there is no update or publication yet.

Question

Rosie Duffield asked what recent progress has been made on publishing guidance for gender-questioning children in schools. She noted that despite a promise to publish by the end of 2025, there is still no guidance available. There is significant pressure on educational institutions and other settings to social transition children without parental consent, with potential long-term psychological harm risks highlighted.

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)

This issue is about ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people. The Department considers consultation responses, evidence, stakeholders' views, and the Cass review carefully to ensure the guidance accurately reflects the needs of these groups.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific timeline for when schools can expect the guidance.

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Q2 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Children & Families
Context

The Education Secretary promised to publish the draft non-statutory guidance by April last year but missed that deadline. Schools are still waiting for clarity on how to handle sensitive issues related to gender questioning.

Question

Saqib Bhatti criticized the government's failure to meet the promised publication date of the draft guidance and called on the Secretary of State to act immediately to protect children from potential long-term psychological harm by providing schools with clear guidelines. He urged the ministerial team to put ideology aside and prioritize practical action.

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)

This is a serious issue requiring careful thought, especially when considering consultation feedback and expert advice. The department aims to take its time in ensuring the guidance benefits children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to publishing the guidance or provide a new timeline.

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