ALT Scottish Government Programme for Government 2023-24: “Progress the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Bill on ending conversion practices.” Scottish Government Programme for Government 2024-25: “Progressing our commitment to ending conversion practices… should a UK-wide approach not be achievable.” Two years since the Expert Advisory Group provided its report and recommendations the Scottish Government's progress on a ban on conversion practices has stalled. We have seen no movement since the consultation on detailed proposals for the legislation closed six months ago. The proposals are ready and have been consulted on, the legislation can be brought to parliament this year - instead the Scottish Government has chosen to kick it into the long grass with a Programme for Government that has been copy-and-pasted from last year's to display zero progress towards change.

ALT Instead what we see with this Programme for Government is a step backwards from a dedication to deliver a Bill built on the principles set out by the expert advisory group and instead one of waiting to see what is delivered by Westminster. An approach we have seen is far more likely to leave the most vulnerable in our community behind. This should be seen as what it is, a betrayal of LGBTQ+ people who have already been waiting four years for the Scottish Parliament to progress on this issue and been faced by a Government content to sit on its hands as the increasing risk of the abuse of conversion therapy continues to threaten our community. The Scottish Government seems set not to raise this before parliament until the next election year, at which point it will become fodder in the culture wars fought over each election. We deserve better, and this delay is inexcusable.