REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has welcomed government proposals to ban LGBT conversion therapy, branding the practice "cruel and barbaric".

The government is in the process of introducing a ban and has launched a six week consultation to help shape the legislation.

It comes as Minister for Equalities, Liz Truss, announced the government’s intention to introduce a legislative ban on the practice, which seeks to change people’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Over the summer victims of conversion therapy shared their experience, detailing the devastating impact of the practice on their mental health.

The government will also make funding available to support victims of conversion therapy practices, making sure that those who need help can access it.

Welcoming the government's move to ban practice, Rachel said: “Everyone should be free to be who they are and to love who they love.

“Conversion therapy is cruel and barbaric and has no place in our country.

“It may seem like a hidden issue, but it isn’t, and I know this practice has impacted people right here in Redditch. In my surgeries I have heard first hand of the impact conversion therapy has had on constituents and that is why I am determined to support the ban on this coercive practice.”

The government's proposed legislation includes ensuring physical conversion therapy acts are sentenced appropriately and introducing a new offence for so-called talking conversion therapies.

The legislation would also ensure those found guilty of conversion therapy offences have any profit they obtained from those crimes removed, and strengthen the case for individuals to be disqualified from holding a senior role in a charity where they are convicted of a conversion therapy offence.

The consultation can be found online and its responses will inform further refinements to the proposals.

The Government will prepare and introduce legislation by spring 2022.