Minister commits to banning conversion therapy if UK Government fails to act

SNP ministers will bring forward legislation to end conversion practices in the first year of the next Holyrood term if Westminster fails to act, Holyrood’s equalities minister has said.

Kaukab Stewart said while the Scottish Government will “continue to work” with Westminster on a UK-wide approach, Holyrood ministers will “get on with the job of ending these harmful practices” if there is no progress.

She promised that if the UK Labour Government fails to legislate on the issue, an SNP Scottish Government will “publish its own Bill in year one of the next parliamentary session”.

The Scottish Government previously committed to banning conversion therapy – which aims to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or identity – as part of the powersharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens.

The Bute House Agreement ended before legislation was brought forward, with the Scottish Government saying earlier this year that it will prepare its own Bill “should a UK-wide approach not be achievable”.

Ministers are said to be continuing to engage with the UK Government to “fully explore” legislation which could be applied across Scotland, England and Wales.

Ms Stewart said: “Scotland remains absolute in our commitment to equality, the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, and ending conversion practices.

“We will continue to work with the UK Government on legislation extending to Scotland, that applies across all settings and protects all ages, is trans-inclusive and does not include any exemption for consent.

“However, if we do not make progress through a collaborative approach, the Scottish Government will get on with the job of ending these harmful practices in Scotland and intends to publish its own Bill in year one of the next parliamentary session.”

In light of the Supreme Court ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”, Ms Stewart said recent weeks have been “challenging for our LGBTQI+ communities”.

But she told them: “We want you to know we stand with you and we will work tirelessly to ban conversion practices once and for all.”

The minister also stressed the Scottish Government will “continue to develop and deliver other measures to end conversion practices and support survivors”.

She said: “So far, we have funded the establishment of a national helpline for anyone affected by conversion practices.

“We are improving how primary care services in the NHS respond to those affected by conversion practices by updating mental health and wellbeing resources.

“And we are supporting young people though our inclusive education programme and working with Young Scot to provide accessible, youth-focused information and signposting on conversion practices, safeguarding and support.”

However Humanist Society Scotland CEO Fraser Sutherland said it was “extremely disappointing” that the Scottish Government would not bring forward a bill before the May 2026 Holyrood election.

Mr Sutherland insisted: “Conversion practices are anti-LGBT+ abuse and have no place in a modern secular society.

“This appears to be another example of the Scottish Government taking the easy option to avoid negative press coverage or confrontation with the forces of religious reaction.

“But LGBT+ people in Scotland deserve better than to have their human rights sidelined for political reasons.

“We need to end conversion practices in Scotland as a matter of urgency.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said that LGBTQIA+ people are  being “put at serious risk by cruel, harmful conversion practices that are currently flying under the radar”.

She insisted: “So-called conversion ‘therapies’ are deeply immoral and leave lasting damage for survivors. These abusive practices have no place in a modern, progressive Scotland.”

She said the delay in action from SNP ministers “sends a terrible message”, with the Green MSP adding: “Our government must offer compassion, kindness and reassurance, not only in words but also in laws.”

Liberal Democrat equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine was also critical, saying: “It’s four years since the SNP pledged to introduce a comprehensive ban on conversion therapy. Why are people having to wait so long?

“It is an antiquated and barbaric practice, which can permanently scar those to suffer through it. It is absolutely unacceptable that in this day and age there are organisations dedicated to converting or ‘curing’ LGBT+ people.

“The SNP should be using the powers of the Scottish Government to challenge hatred and discrimination, not dragging their feet once again.”