Greens criticise indefinite puberty blocker ban as ‘discriminatory’ and part of ‘culture war’

A Green Party MP has criticised the government’s indefinite puberty blocker ban as “discriminatory”.

Siân Berry, the MP for Brighton and Hove Green, told the House of Commons she was “extremely worried and fearful” about the decision.

The comments came after the health secretary, Wes Streeting, announced that existing emergency measures banning the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones will be made indefinite.

Berry said: “I’m extremely worried and fearful about this decision to continue this blanket ban. I want to ask the minister about his reliance for the terms of reference and reasons for this on the purpose for which these drugs are being prescribed – ie being trans.

“[Puberty blockers can be] safely used by young people for other conditions, as he acknowledges, does he understand that this is at heart discriminatory?”

Streeting responded: “I do not agree with the characterisation of the honourable member. There are a whole range of medicines that are prescribed for a whole range of uses amongst a whole range of patient cohorts, but may well be unsafe or inappropriate or ineffective for use for other patients with other conditions.

“That is a basic fact of medicine. And if I may say so, her intervention is why we should listen to clinicians, not politicians.”

Meanwhile, Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, rubbished the indefinite ban as a “culture war” tactic.

He posted on Bluesky: “Wes Streeting’s decision to ban puberty blockers should be called out for what it is.

“He’s playing culture wars where trans [and] non binary youth are collateral damage [and] Labour dance to Reform’s tune. An attack on trans people is an attack on our LGBTQ+ community. We must say no.”

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