Schools in England ‘face legal risks if they follow new transgender guidance’

The education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and the equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, whose guidance for schools states they have ‘no general duty to allow a child to socially transition’. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Schools in England could face legal action if they follow new guidance on how to treat transgender children, ministers’ own lawyers have reportedly warned.

Advice issued prior to the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and the equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, publishing draft guidance to schools and colleges which said they had no duty to allow students to “socially transition”, warns of significant legal risks if they follow it.