Speeches by Whittome.

“To what extent do you think the UK has got it right in terms of regulation? Are there areas where you think there should be changes? For example, do you agree with the regulator that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act should be revised or amended to include more of an overarching focus on patient protection?”

“Timothy and Giulia, do you have anything to add?”

“That’s okay; you cannot control when the Divisions are. Thanks so much, Chair, and thank you to the Committee for hearing our application. We are looking for a Backbench Business debate in the main Chamber to mark LGBT+ History Month, which is taking place next month, in February. This has been a regular feature of the…”

“Thank you very much.”

“I remind the House that puberty blockers are still prescribed to young people who are not trans; I do not see some of my colleagues who are so exercised when puberty blockers are given to young trans people expressing the same concerns for their cisgender peers. Even Dr Cass herself acknowledged that puberty blockers a…”

“It would be a general debate on LGBT+ History Month.”

“If possible, 12 February.”

“Thank you, Minister, for all your time so far. The Government’s plan makes no mention of unfreezing local housing allowance except to say that it is “under review”. Given that black-led households are more likely to claim LHA, would raising LHA help to address the racial disparities in homelessness risk?”

“I appreciate the range of things that the Government are doing on this, but the freezing of the local housing allowance is one of the main factors driving the crisis in temporary accommodation. According to Crisis, after years of freezes by successive Governments, only 2.7% of homes in Great Britain today would be affo…”

“I can repeat it, because I know that I asked it in a few different parts. I asked whether you would support changes to the way that elective gynaecology appointments are prioritised.”

“That is really useful—thank you.”

“I wonder whether anyone on the panel could speak about the difficulties that trans men and non-binary people may face in seeking help for reproductive health problems. I raise that because I have had communication from trans people who report being turned away for things like cervical smears or treatment for UTIs. It w…”

“To what extent do you think the way LARC is commissioned is a factor in the long gynaecology waiting lists?”

“That is comprehensive, thank you. Does anyone have anything to add?”

“I have a quick follow-up for whoever can give it their best guess. Can you estimate the proportion of women on the gynaecology waiting list who are there unnecessarily because of the way that LARC is commissioned?”

“Excellent; thank you. Charlotte, do you have anything to add to that?”

“They are not electing it for the fun of it, are they?”

“That would be really useful. Thank you so much.”

“Absolutely. You mentioned elective gynaecology appointments just now. Why are they often the appointments that are first to be cancelled? Would you support changes to the way that elective gynae is prioritised in the system? If so, what kind of changes would you support?”

“On gynaecology waiting lists, we will come to discuss the impacts of the women’s health hubs later on, but are there examples of other local initiatives that have been successful in reducing gynaecology waiting lists? What steps are being taken to treat women in the most deprived areas who are waiting the longest for t…”