Quote:A ban on puberty blockers could be made permanent as the Labour party takes a harder stance on transgender issues, The Telegraph can reveal.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, intends to stop powerful hormone blockers being given to children via any means, subject to the outcome of a legal hearing.

Laws to ban the blockers being supplied to children by private or off-shore clinics were passed by his predecessor, Victoria Atkins, in emergency legislation ahead of the general election.

These are due to expire on Sept 3 and the new Government has to decide whether to pass a law to make it permanent.

It is understood that Labour will now seek to renew the ban with a view to making it permanent.

It comes against a backdrop of criticism of the party for its stance on women’s rights.