Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June to Question 148680 on LGBT people: surveys, whether she has carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding in stopping gay conversion therapy.

Our National LGBT survey shows that the abhorrent practice of conversion therapy is still alive in our country. The Government is clear that these activities are wrong, and we are not willing to let them continue.

We worked with the main registration and accreditation bodies for psychotherapy and counselling practitioners to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to tackle conversion therapy. This is a voluntary code that is managed and led by the sector.

In our LGBT Action Plan, we committed to further steps to stamp out this bogus treatment. Led by the Government Equalities Office, we will fully consider all legislative and non-legislative options to prohibit promoting, offering or conducting conversion therapy. Our intent is to protect people who are vulnerable to harm or violence, whether that occurs in a medical, commercial or faith-based context.