Bosses could be sent to JAIL if their staff use wrong pronouns under new trans law

The Government’s draft Conversion Practices Bill is intended to outlaw attempts to forcibly change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Critics warn its provisions could expose senior figures in organisations to criminal charges if they authorise such practices or fail to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent them, though the Government says the rules would apply only to organisations providing conversion therapy services.

The draft defines relevant officers to include directors, managers, company secretaries, partners and governing-body members. Convictions could carry up to five years in prison, while organisations could face unlimited fines. The Government’s impact assessment estimates compliance costs of £13.6 million for businesses and about £48 million for the public sector over ten years; critics say the wording is too broad, while the Government rejects claims that ordinary businesses would be burdened.