NHS England has just confirmed that, following an independent review, puberty blockers will be banned for children – they will now only be available to children as part of clinical research trials. This follows the closure of the scandal-ridden Tavistock Centre and the conclusion of review-leader Dr Hilary Cass that the Gender Identity Development Service’s failure to gather routine and consistent data meant that long-term evidence of its effectiveness is severely lacking. An inevitable result.

Liz Truss, longtime campaigner on this issue, has responded to the announcement:

“I welcome NHS England’s decision to end the routine prescription of puberty blockers to children for gender dysphoria. I urge the Government to back my Bill on Friday which will reinforce this in law and also prevent these drugs being supplied privately.”

Truss’ own private members’ bill is due for its second reading on Friday. It includes a ban on hormone treatment for under-18s and would stop schools recognising social transitioning in children. Sex would also be enshrined explicitly as biological sex. Truss has previously attacked the government choosing only to change guidance, to the chagrin of Badenoch’s allies – it looks like things are swinging her way…