A freeze placed this year on their use to treat gender dysphoria will remain in place for young people under 18, except in clinical trials, Britain’s government said.

The sale and supply of puberty blockers via private prescriptions for the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in children will be banned indefinitely in Britain

Government-ordered commission flags an “unacceptable safety risk” in continued prescription to children.

The temporary ban on drugs being given to under-18s questioning their gender identity had already been extended twice.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the way the drugs have been used is a "scandal" following a review.

“I know it won’t feel like it based on the decisions I’m taking today, but I really do care about this and so does this Government."

The British government on Wednesday indefinitely banned puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria after independent experts found there was an unacceptable safety risk in prescribing the medication.

Puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria will be banned indefinitely in the UK, outside clinical trials, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced.