Campaigners fear that the government may not deliver on previous promises to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’. Earlier this year, the government announced its intention to publish a draft bill which would protect “everyone” from the practice.
MPs were then due to debate the bill in Parliament, ahead of the King’s Speech on 7 November, when the King relays forthcoming legislative priorities.
However, a draft bill has so far failed to materialise – despite Rishi Sunak calling the practice “abhorrent” in the House of Commons as well as reports in June that a bill was on the “PM’s desk” for internal scrutiny.
With Parliament due to break for a lengthy recess next week, not returning until mid October, activists now believe that the government has run out of time to fulfil their promises.