British health secretary Wes Streeting has permanently banned puberty blockers for children in an emergency decision, saying that evidence of their safety “should have been established before they were ever prescribed”.

Streeting referred to the Cass review into gender-identity services, which says that there is currently not enough evidence about the impact on young people of using puberty-suppressing hormones.

In her review, Cass said that the evidence base for the long-term safety of use of puberty-blockers in cases of gender confusion was weak, and that more research was needed.

On 30 May, before the dissolution of parliament, Streeting’s Tory predecessor Victoria Atkins said that a ban on the use of such treatments for gender dysmorphia in the NHS would also be enforced in the private sector, prohibiting the drugs in England, Wales and Scotland.

Emergency order

“The former Health Secretary issued an emergency order to extend the restriction on prescription to the private sector, which I am defending,” Streeting said on X (14 July).

On X, Streeting said “Children’s healthcare must always be led by evidence. Medicine given to children must always be proven safe and effective first”.

He said that there was not enough evidence about the long-term impact of puberty blockers for gender incongruence to know whether they were safe or not, nor which children might benefit from them.

Dr Hilary Cass criticised the use of drugs on under 18s to delay physical puberty such as the growth of breasts or facial hair.

Clinical trial

The NHS is establishing a clinical trial to ensure the effects of puberty blockers can be safely monitored.

The ban is being challenged in the British High Court.

Streeting’s move was criticised by Labour MPs including Stella Creasy, who said that the Cass review recommended caution, but not a complete ban.

Nadia Whittome MP responded: “Only a small number of young people are prescribed puberty blockers. Those who are often describe them as life-saving. I know the distress the puberty-blockers ban is causing them. No matter what happens in court, I will continue fighting for the government to scrap it.”

Streeting said: “We don’t yet know the risks of stopping pubertal hormones at this critical life stage. That is the basis upon which I am making decisions. I am treading cautiously in this area because the safety of children must come first.

“Some of the public statements being made are highly irresponsible and could put vulnerable young people at risk. I know there’s lots of fear and anxiety. I am determined to improve the quality of, and access to, care for trans people.”

LGBT+ Labour wrote to Streeting asking the health secretary to “urgently set out the timeline, scope and nature” of a clinical trial.

In April, Scotland's clinic for treating transgender youth said that it is pausing new prescriptions of puberty blockers for minors.