Ministers set to miss deadline for trans guidance publication
DITHERING ministers are expected to miss their pledge of publishing trans guidance for schools this year, reports BritPanorama.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has not released the necessary advice to teachers during her 17 months in office, prompting concerns from various quarters.
Phillipson had assured that she would review draft guidance issued under the previous Conservative government regarding schools’ approaches to students seeking to change their gender. In April, she told MPs she would “publish revised gender-questioning guidance for our schools this year to provide that necessary further clarity.”
However, sources indicate that the guidance is unlikely to materialise before the New Year due to ongoing debates over its content. The last version, which stated that teachers were not required to permit a pupil to identify as the opposite sex, has faced criticism from Phillipson.
The previous “gender questioning guidance” clearly outlined that “there is no general duty to allow a child to ‘social transition’” and asserted that parents must be kept informed about such decisions.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott accused Phillipson of prioritising political considerations over child protection, stating, “Bridget Phillipson seems more worried about upsetting the trade unions than doing what is right to protect children. This guidance has been gathering dust on her desk for 17 months, while doubts about her integrity continue to grow. These are common sense safeguards, yet she appears more focused on playing politics than getting a grip and doing what’s best for children.”
In addition to the school guidance, Phillipson has yet to issue separate advice for businesses concerning the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling prioritising biological sex in public spaces.
Downing Street officials maintained that they are taking the necessary time to ensure both sets of guidance are correctly outlined. An Education Department spokesperson stated, “Nothing is more important than the wellbeing of children, so it is vital that we take the time needed to carefully consider the consultation responses and all the relevant evidence on this very complex issue. This includes the findings of Dr Hilary Cass’s review, which will be central to the action we take. We will soon set out next steps and how we will help schools to make decisions about children who are questioning their gender.”
The ongoing delay raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing sensitive issues in educational settings, as well as the implications for students navigating these complex matters.
