Carlisle’s new MP said she backs the health secretary Wes Streeting’s proposals for a clinical trial to look at the effects of 'puberty blocker' drugs on children.

Mr Streeting has been the subject of criticism from some Labour Party MPs who believe that what is understood to be his support for a total ban on prescribing so-called ‘puberty blockers’ to 'gender-questioning patients' under 18, while the trial is conducted, is tantamount to him 'abandoning the transgender community', and ignoring promises made in the party’s manifesto.

Labour MP Zarah Sultana said she will ‘always stand’ with the trans community and that Mr Streeting’s moves to back the recent Cass Review - which concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence on the risks or benefits of hormone treatment for transgender youth - and order a clinical trial of these treatments meant he abandoned a principle in the party’s manifesto to ‘remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance’.

She, and fellow MP Nadia Whitthome, said they would oppose any move to extend the ban, which was put in place by the Conservative Party when they were in power.

LGBT+ Labour said there were ‘concerns’ about the move.

“It is clear that protecting the mental and physical wellbeing of vulnerable young trans people must be our overriding concern. We hope that, under this new Labour government, progress can be made to reset the public discussion on trans rights, centring the humanity of, and compassion for, each individual trans person,” the group said.

Mr Streeting did, however, get some support from MP Rosie Duffield who has previously commented on her feeling ostracised from the party because of her views on gender.

The approach to go forward with a clinical trial by the NHS has been welcomed by Labour MP for Carlisle Julie Minns, who echoed Mr Streeting’s views that the government is ‘putting the welfare and safety of children first’.

She added that the government will ‘take decisions based on evidence, rather than politics or political pressure’.

Ms Minns backed the findings of the Cass Review and said: “This evidence should have been established before they were ever prescribed.

“The NHS is now establishing a clinical trial to ensure the effects of puberty blockers can be safely monitored and provide the evidence needed, and this is the basis on which the government will make decisions.

“I support this approach and am pleased that we now have a government that is committed to improving the quality of, and access to, support and care for trans people, rather than using trans issues to stoke prejudice and division.”

Ms Minns did not comment on the proposed ban.