Is Liz Truss doing her statement today?

[MsMarvellous]

For some reason I have it in my head that we were expecting Liz Truss to release the more detailed information about her plans re the GRA, trans issues, and women's spaces today, and that it would be a statement to parliament. I can't see it timetabled though so I have probably got this wrong.

Does anyone know when I should start keeping my eyes open?

Rumours were today, but I saw something that said the can may have been kicked down the road again.

The Times has a very brief piece on it at the weekend but the BBC said not to expect it.

I'm keen to know too. I wondered if there would be something around the time of the debate on the private members bill (X's on passports), not sure if that was today?

I expect we will hear news here when it breaks!

Frustrating isn't it - if I know something I am interested in will be raised I stick BBC parliament on iPlayer so I can watch real time as the reactions from other ministers say a lot too.

Pink News - that horrible rag - are very anxious about it :-)

This is the BBC report:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53411965

Relevant paras:

Last month, the government said it would publish its long-awaited response to a consultation on the act in July and there had been some expectation it could come as soon as this week.

But a statement from the Government Equalities Office outlines a vaguer "intention" to publish a response this summer, which would apply to England and Wales.

Senior Whitehall sources have suggested that an announcement this week is now very unlikely.

That doesn't leave a lot of time before parliament breaks up next Wednesday for the summer recess.

The parliamentary calendar has something on Women and Equalities - topical questions next Wed 11.30.

Oral questions: Women and Equalities (including Topical Questions) is timetabled for next Wednesday at 11.30.

Would we expect a ministerial statement and more detail in advance or could it be released then?

I'll keep checking in then. I just want to know what her plans are now.

It's a weird feeling that it's a Conservative government who are most likely to have our backs on this and are currently our best hope!

I had in my mind Liz would release info before the summer recess-if they kick this down the road it will not do anyone any favours.

@OhHolyJesus I wonder if, given recess is next week, she'll deliver as late as possible on weds then bugger off for summer

I think so too. There will be a massive backlash either way so yes I imagine doing it as late as possible too. Bet she's looking forward to a holiday!

Wont they want Kier Starmer to be put on the spot? Depending on what she says, or will she just hoof it and watch the fall our from a distance. Must watch it live

Oh yes. Watching live and seeing reactions will be very useful. Good point about Keir. His reaction, or not, will hopefully give an inkling if which direction he wants to game the Labour Party on these issues

It's likely that the announcement will be made just before shutting shop for the summer. That way there's time for the backlash to die down a bit before they have to deal with the headache again.

However, the latest crowdfunding for Kiera indicates she is challenging the inclusion of gender identity in conversion therapy.

The earlier leak in the Times indicated a government announcement on the ban of conversion therapy would be made.

A ban on “gay-cure” therapies that are run by some church groups and therapists will be announced on the same day.

The Newsnight report showed evidence that young lesbians and gays were being hastily pushed down the trans pathway by homophobic parents and the gender clinics. The Tavistock is implicated in this by not listening to staff concerns. Add in Kiera's challenge and I have a suspicion that banning 'gender identity conversion therapy' directly conflicts with a ban on gay conversion therapy. Especially if therapists are forbidden from exploring reasons why a young person might initially come out as gay/lesbian but then decide they are actually trans and need access to hormones and potentially surgery.

I'm purely speculating, but I suspect someone somewhere is going 'Oh shit.'

Just wondered whether anyone had heard anything?

Do you think she's waiting for some of the court cases?

Mermaids tweeted this today:

twitter.com/mermaids_gender/status/1304039782457249792?s=21

Text:

“ BREAKING: reassurance that GRA reform won't effect access to trans youth healthcare

Minister for Women and Equalities, Rt Hon Liz Truss, says "the GRA does not currently enable those under 18 to apply for a GRC and there are no plans for this to change."

I have the Mermaids website blocked so I can’t actually read the link in the tweet so no idea if it’s of interest or not. (and am too lazy to go unblock just now)

Why is wierd that its the Conservatives who are way ahead of Labour on this?

Good statement, Liz Truss. Nobody was ever going to 'take back' trans rights. With any luck the govt will ensure that single sex rights are strengthened and enforced. And everyone wants young people supported and able to access the best quality healthcare.

Jolly good!

I am just not going to mention the Mermaids letter, which appears to offer some quite startling explanations for a recent tragic suicide and suicide attempt.