Labour announces trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban in King's Speech Bill

A draft Bill introducing a "trans-inclusive" conversion therapy ban has been pledged in the King's Speech. The Labour Government announced it would act to eradicate "abusive" practices through proposed legislation, in keeping with a commitment made in its 2024 election manifesto. Officials have stated the ban will be carefully balanced and precisely targeted, ensuring it does not interfere with legitimate healthcare and other support available to those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity. Ministers reaffirmed their determination to outlaw conversion practices last June, pledging that a ban would be introduced "within the next nine months," though it has since faced delays. The Draft Conversion Practices Bill featured in Wednesday's King's Speech, which outlined the Government's legislative programme for the forthcoming parliamentary session. The legislation will only cover England and Wales, as criminal law is devolved across other UK administrations, and will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny — a process officials said would allow expert and stakeholder views to be gathered. It comes after Stonewall pressed on the government to publish a draft Bill before Parliament next breaks for summer recess. "As another parliamentary session ends, another government fails on its commitment to #BanConversionPractices," they said in a statement posted to social media in April. "Along with the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, we are deeply disappointed that this legislation has been delayed once again. "Conversion practices continue to cause profound harm to LGBTQ+ community. There is no place for this abuse in the UK. But the campaign continues – we will not let the Government drop this vital legislation. "While the Government have missed the deadline of the end of the session, we are pressing them to publish a draft Bill before Parliament next breaks for summer recess. "We remain determined and we won't give up hope," the statement concluded. A ban on conversion therapy — which seeks to suppress or alter a person's sexual orientation or gender identity — was originally pledged back in 2018 by former Conservative prime minister Theresa May . It was subsequently scaled back under Boris Johnson's leadership to exclude transgender people, before the Conservative government under Rishi Sunak declared in January 2023 that the conversion therapy ban would apply to "everyone", transgender people included. This didn't materialise, with the Conservatives claiming legislation surrounding such practices "is a very complex issue, with existing criminal law already offering robust protections".