Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has made of the equality impact of the exemption for those providing healthcare services under section 1.3 of the Draft Conversion Practices Bill.

The Government published its draft Conversion Practices Bill on 25 June for pre-legislative scrutiny. We welcome cross-party engagement and scrutiny on all aspects of this draft legislation, including the healthcare provisions.

Our proposed Bill will criminalise abusive, harmful acts which are intended to change a person's identity. To be clear, a conversion practice would never be legitimate healthcare and healthcare providers will be within the scope of the offence if they fall below the standards reasonably expected of a person in their position.