The UK Government has pledged a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy.

A Draft Conversion Practices Bill was included in Wednesday’s King’s Speech, outlining Labour‘s legislative programme for the coming parliamentary session.

The Government committed to eradicating what it called “abusive” practices, in line with a pledge made in its 2024 election manifesto.

Officials say the ban will be carefully targeted to avoid interfering with legitimate healthcare for those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The legislation will cover England and Wales only, as criminal law is devolved across other UK nations, and will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny to allow expert and stakeholder input before it progresses further.

A conversion therapy ban was first promised in 2018, seven years and multiple governments ago.

Stonewall welcomed the announcement but did not hold back. “As another parliamentary session ends, another government fails on its commitment to ban conversion practices,” the charity said in a statement in April, alongside the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition.

“Conversion practices continue to cause profound harm to the 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.”