Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Jenkinson and Mike Freer

Wednesday 12th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Equalities (Mike Freer)]

The Government’s proposals will protect freedom of speech. The proposals will not affect a parent’s right to express their views and raise their children with their values. Parents, clinicians and teachers will, of course, continue to be able to have open and challenging conversations with young people or others about their sexual orientation or whether they are transgender or not.

[Mark Jenkinson]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer. There have been instances of parents being reported to social services for not simply affirming their child’s new trans identity. Will my hon. Friend assure parents that their right to not simply affirm their child’s new identity will be protected in the face of the ideological capture of some of our public services?

[Mike Freer]

Parents and carers will, of course, have the right to express their views on how a child identifies.