Topical Questions 2026-09-09

2026-09-09

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The questioner asks about the progress of t [1D [K the Conversion Practices Bill, noting the commitment by the Minister to hav [3D [K have a Committee by the end of January.
Conversion practices are a form of abuse, and thi [3D [K this Government were elected on a manifesto commitment to ban them. While I [1D [K I welcome the publication of the draft Bill in June and the commitment by t [1D [K the Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Wakefield and Rothwell (Simon L [1D [K Lightwood), that there will be a Committee by the end of January, can the S [1D [K Secretary of State appreciate the frustration of many that the process of b [1D [K banning this abuse is taking so long?
As my hon. Friend the Minister set out earlier, thi [3D [K this Government published our draft Conversion Practices Bill for pre-legis [9D [K pre-legislative scrutiny in June, and we will shortly confirm the members o [1D [K of the Joint Committee. It is an incredibly important piece of legislation [K and a safeguard for LGBT people. I look forward to working with all Members [7D [K Members of this House on this important legislation to ensure that a ban is [2D [K is effective in targeting these abusive and harmful practices that have no [K place in modern Britain.
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Q2 Direct Answer
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The questioner inquires about the red lines [5D [K lines regarding the use of puberty blockers for children and at what age th [2D [K they are considered able to make such decisions.
Following last night's vote on puberty blockers, [K will the right hon. Lady set out exactly what her red lines are when it com [3D [K comes to experimenting on children, and at what age she thinks children are [3D [K are able to make life-changing decisions about their gender?
I welcome the hon. Lady to her place, and wish her [K predecessor, the right hon. Member for East Surrey (Claire Coutinho), all t [1D [K the very best—as I am sure we all do—as she heads off to welcome her new ba [2D [K baby into the world. On this important issue, it is essential that healthca [8D [K healthcare available to children and young people is safe, evidence-based a [1D [K and clinically appropriate, which is why Dr Hilary Cass has looked at the i [1D [K issue seriously and in detail. She concluded that not enough was known abou [4D [K about the safety and efficacy of puberty-suppressing hormones; that is why [K a trial is taking place, and it is why we accepted her recommendations. We [K will always put the safety and wellbeing of children first, in line with he [2D [K her recommendations.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The Government's own equality impact assessment [10D [K assessment highlights that people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disable [7D [K disabled individuals, and elderly people are at increased risk of being coe [3D [K coerced into an assisted death, feeling like a burden, or feeling pressured [9D [K pressured to end their life. These findings are relevant as the Terminally [K Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is set to be discussed in the House on Friday [6D [K Friday.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled peo [3D [K people and old people are more at risk of being coerced into an assisted de [2D [K death, feeling a burden, or feeling pressured to end their life. These are [K the findings of the Government's own equality impact assessment on the Term [4D [K Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which comes to this House on Frid [4D [K Friday. In the event that the Bill is passed, what steps will the Secretary [9D [K Secretary of State take to ensure that those risks to people with protected [9D [K protected characteristics will be mitigated?
My hon. Friend will know that the Government are neutra [6D [K neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Bill. We hav [3D [K have therefore not developed a detailed implementation plan; if the Bill we [2D [K were to pass, we would engage with all relevant people and partners to ensu [4D [K ensure safe and effective implementation. My hon. Friend has referenced the [3D [K the equality impact assessment. Members are able to read that for themselve [9D [K themselves, and I am sure my hon. Friend will seek to make the points she h [1D [K has made today again as we discuss these matters further on Friday.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to mitigate risks to people with prote [5D [K protected characteristics were not addressed
We Have Not Developed A Detailed Implementation Pl [2D [K Plan
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Q4 Partial Answer
I thank the Secretary of State for her earlier answer about Meta smart glasses. She is right to acknowledge that this technology can provide benefits to people with disabilities, but that it is also being used for the covert recording of women—so can I push her a bit further? What discussions with other Departments can she commit to in order to ensure that tech company products advance equalities and human rights, rather than undermine them?
There are potential benefits that come from the use of this kind of technology, but we know that there are also significant risks. That is why we will continue to keep the law in this area under review to make sure it is effective and fit for use. Alongside that, tech companies also have a responsibility to make sure they are taking down inappropriate material and that prosecutions follow in cases such as those of voyeurism, for which we are clear that glasses should not be used.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, it is important that we recognise the heightened risk of suicide among autistic women and girls, who are too often overlooked and diagnosed too late. Autistic people are three times more likely to attempt, or die by, suicide than non-autistic people. Will the Secretary of State set out what action the Government are taking to reduce suicide among women and girls with autism?
My hon. Friend raises an extremely important point ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day. One life lost to suicide is one life too many, and all of us across this House have a responsibility to make sure people know that there is always support available, there is always someone to talk to, and there is always help there. My hon. Friend has raised the issue of neurodiversity and autism, and I would be happy to discuss that further with her as we bring forward an updated suicide prevention plan.
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