We're in limbo, school chiefs warn Sunak as trans guidance delayed

We’re in limbo, school chiefs warn Rishi Sunak as guidance on how to deal with transgender pupils is delayed yet again

• Prime Minister previously pledged guidance by end of summer term 
• Guidance now put back for further consultation 
• Schools advised to proceed with ‘extreme caution’ with trans issues in meantime

School chiefs have warned Rishi Sunak teachers will be left in limbo after a fresh delay to the introduction of guidance on dealing with trans pupils.

The Prime Minister had pledged that the long-awaited guidance would finally be published before the end of the school summer term.

But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan told MPs yesterday it had been put back again for further consultation.

Whitehall sources said the delay followed advice from the Attorney General Victoria Prentis that a planned ban on so-called social transitioning in schools would fall foul of Labour’s Equality Act.

Mrs Keegan gave no new timeframe for publishing the advice. In the meantime, she said schools should proceed with ‘extreme caution’ when dealing with children presenting as trans. ‘They should always involve parents in decisions relating to their child, and should not agree to any changes that they are not absolutely confident are in the best interests of that child and their peers,’ she added.

Rishi Sunak was warned by teaching union chiefs that schools are ‘in limbo’ over trans issues

Teaching unions warned the delay would leave staff in limbo. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the delay was ‘deeply disappointing’, suggesting it was ‘seemingly due to internal government disputes’. He added: ‘Schools need clarity on this situation to help them navigate sometimes difficult issues and ensure all pupils are treated with respect, consideration and in accordance with the law.’

Tory MPs also voiced dismay at the delay.

Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said: ‘If we need to change the law to get this sorted out then we should get on and do it.’

Mr Sunak pledged in March the guidance would be issued before the end of the summer term.

But he and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch were not satisfied with proposals brought forward by the Department for Education which would have allowed children to socially transition provided they had parental consent.

Whitehall sources said attempts to toughen up the guidance led to ‘legal problems’. Mrs Keegan said it was right to delay, adding: ‘It is a difficult and sensitive area and more information is needed.’

Downing Street declined to apologise for the delay and said the guidance would be issued as soon as possible.

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