DUP and TUV slam Health Minister’s £800k gender identity spend as TUV launches petition

(L-R) DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA (UUP), and TUV MLA Timothy Gaston

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley and TUV MLA Timothy Gaston have sharply criticised the Department of Health’s decision to allocate £800,000 to a new ‘lifespan’ gender identity service, calling for the funding to be withdrawn.

The TUV has launched a public petition, and both parties have pledged to hold Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to account when the Assembly reconvenes in September.

The service, which reportedly includes no lower age limit for referrals, has come under intense scrutiny from both unionist parties, who cite concerns over medical evidence, child safeguarding, and financial prioritisation.

DUP: “Attempting to slip this out during summer recess”

Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley said the DUP would be holding the Minister to account for what he called “poor prioritisation”.

“The DUP is firmly opposed to the direction taken by Mike Nesbitt on gender identity services, and we are confident that at no point did Edwin Poots authorise or approve any such provisions in his tenure as Health Minister. If the Minister has evidence to the contrary, he should produce it,” he said.

Buckley accused the Department of Health of trying to obscure the issue, stating:

“It is deeply concerning that the Minister continues to avoid answering legitimate questions — not just from the DUP, but from senior figures within his own party. Attempting to slip this out during summer recess will not shield him from accountability or scrutiny.”

“At a time when nurses are rightly demanding fair pay and waiting lists remain out of control, spending £800,000 in this area represents poor prioritisation and is rightly raising alarm, not least in relation to the safeguarding of children and the vulnerable.”

TUV: Public petition demands withdrawal of funding

Meanwhile, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has launched a public petition calling on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to reverse the funding decision.

Timothy Gaston MLA, who will formally present the petition to the Assembly after the summer recess, outlined three central arguments behind the campaign:

1. Lack of medical evidence

“The Cass Review, the most comprehensive independent investigation of gender identity services in the UK, concluded that the evidence base for treatments in children and young people is ‘insufficient and of poor quality’.

“It further warned of the potential harms of both medical and social transition on young children.”

2. Vulnerability of children

“Referring children as young as five to gender identity services introduces highly sensitive and complex issues at an age when cognitive, emotional, and social development is still in its early stages.

“There is no scientific or clinical justification for such intervention.”

3. Misuse of public funds

“At a time when health services across Northern Ireland are under severe pressure, it is astonishing that such a significant sum of money would be directed towards a controversial and experimental service, rather than being prioritised for urgent needs in mental health, cancer treatment, waiting lists, and front-line care.”

Gaston said the petition provides a democratic avenue for public opposition:

“The Assembly makes provision for petitions to be presented to Ministers, so this gives the general public an opportunity to make their voices heard. If you are concerned about this issue, I would urge you to add your voice to the petition.”

Assembly questions loom in September

Both DUP and TUV MLAs have indicated the matter will be raised in the Assembly when it returns from summer recess, signalling ongoing political pressure on the Health Minister over the controversial funding decision.