Activity undertaken and progress towards ending conversion practices: FOI release

Information requested

1. An update on all progress made to ending conversion practices in Scotland.
2. All consultations done during this campaign the future plans held by the group.

Response

In relation to the development of legislation to ban harmful conversion practices, I have set out below an update on activity to date, including our public consultation.

• In March 2022 the Scottish Government set up an independent Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Ending Conversion Practices. Details can be found on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/groups/ending-conversion-practices-expert-advisory-group/
• In September 2022, the 2022-23 Programme for Government (PfG) was published. It included a commitment to, ‘develop a Bill to end conversion practices, covering both sexual orientation and gender identity.’ You can view the document here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/stronger more-resilient-scotland-programme-government-2022-23/
• In October 2022, the EAG published a report and recommendation which can be found here https://www.gov.scot/publications/expert-advisory-group-ending-conversion-practices-report recommendations/
• In October 2022 the Scottish Government published a response to the EAG’s report and recommendations which can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish government-response-expert-advisory-group-ending-conversion-practices-report/
• In September 2023 the 2023-24 PfG was published. It included a commitment to, ’progress the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Bill on ending conversion practices. As the next step in delivering on this commitment, we will publish a consultation on proposals for legislative change by the end of this calendar year’. You can view the document here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/programme-government-2023-24/
• A 12 week public consultation was launched on 9 January 2024 which included detailed proposals for legislation on ending conversion practices in Scotland. You can view the consultation here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ending-conversion-practices-scotland scottish-government-consultation/
• On 3 April 2024 Scottish Government officials met with UK Government officials to discuss the Scottish Government consultation and next steps.
• In September 2024 the 2024-25 PfG was published. It included a commitment to, ‘progressing our commitment to ending conversion practices in Scotland and work towards complementary approaches across the UK. We will prepare legislation for introduction to the Scottish Parliament should a UK-wide approach not be achievable. You can view the document here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/programme-government-2024-25-serving-scotland/
• On 22 January 2025 the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice met with the UK Government’s Minister for Women and Equalities to discuss a UK Wide approach to ending conversion practices.
• In May 2025, the 2025-26 PfG was published. It included the following commitment, ‘developing draft legislation and policy towards ending conversion practices in Scotland. Engagement will continue with the UK government for a Bill covering England, Wales and Scotland. However, if this approach cannot be agreed, then we commit to publishing our own Bill in Year 1 of the next Parliamentary session’. You can view the 2025-26 PfG here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/programme-government-2025-26/
• We published the analysis of our consultation on 7 October 2025 which can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ending-conversion-practices-scotland-analysis-responses scottish-governments-public-consultation/. The published responses to the consultation can be found here: https://consult.gov.scot/equality-and-human-rights/ending-conversion practices/consultation/published_select_respondent
• On 7 October 2025 the Scottish Government also published a response to the analysis which can be found here - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-response consultation-analysis-ending-conversion-practices-scotland/pages/4/
• On 3 November 2025 the Minister for Equalities met with the UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Minister for Equalities, Olivia Bailey, to discuss a UK Wide approach to ending conversion practices.
• While Ministers have committed to explore a UK wide approach, work remains ongoing in relation to the development of a Scottish Bill. Scottish Ministers were clear that that a UK Bill must:
  🞗 apply across all settings
  🞗 be trans inclusive
  🞗 protect all ages and
  🞗 not include any exemption for consent
• A letter was sent from the Minister for Equalities to the UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Minister for Equalities Olivia Bailey, on 6 of February 2026 setting out our commitment to working collaboratively following the 3 November meeting.

The Scottish Government has also provided £50,000 funding for 2026/27 to LGBT Health and Wellbeing for its conversion practices support services. This includes the delivery of a helpline service and 1:1 counselling to provide support for victims and survivors of conversion practices in Scotland. The funding also supports awareness-raising activity.

The Scottish Government has also delivered the following in relation to ending conversion practices in Scotland:

• The Scottish Government has been working with the Education sector to update their resources and teacher training bringing awareness of conversion practices. Education Scotland updated their Parentzone resource to include information on conversion practices and signposting to support and advice services which can be found here - https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/curriculum-in-scotland/lgbt-inclusive-education-information-for-families/
• In 2024 the Scottish Government worked with Young Scot to update information on conversion practices on its website, including signposting for support which can be found here - https://young.scot/get-informed/conversion-practices-and-where-to-get-support/.

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