Schools: Gender-questioning Children Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Schools: Gender-questioning Children

Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Excerpts
Thursday 22nd February 2024

(9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Portrait Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)
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My Lords, will the Minister join me in condemning Mermaids’ practice of going into primary school reception classes and suggesting to four year-olds—including my own granddaughter, in a rural Suffolk primary school—that if they wish to, they can change their gender at any stage? This is inappropriate for four year-olds.

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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I absolutely agree with my noble friend. Again, the guidance is clear that schools should not agree to support any degree of social transition for a primary school child unless it is explicitly required to safeguard and promote their welfare.