Health Secretary Wes Streeting is apparently in denial about the state of trans health care in the UK. Amid backlash to his support of restrictions affecting the most vulnerable communities, the Labor MP implied critics are overreacting. “Get a grip,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Labor Party announced changes to the personal independence payment (Pip), making it harder to claim benefits for disability. Streeting sat down for a BBC interview to defend these proposed measures.
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During the interview, Streeting argued that the restrictions would still support the most vulnerable while getting others on disability back to work. “Now, of course, there will be some people because of serious disability or because of chronic illness that can’t be turned around, will not be able to work, and those people need to be supported,” he said. “But the welfare state’s also got to be a springboard back to work and lots of people get written off, you know, as if they can’t contribute when they can and should and want to.”
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Streeting also said that he believes there is an “overdiagnosis” of mental health issues in addition to “too many people being written off.”
On Friday, Streeting followed these statements up with a tone-deaf Instagram post. The photo shows the health secretary standing in front of a wall etched with the words “Tell them what they don’t want to hear.”
“Sometimes it’s a necessary part of the job,” Streeting captioned.
Commenters were not happy, with many taking aim at his dismissal of mental health issues.
“That’s right Wes, you tell mentally ill people what we need to hear! We’ve had it too easy for too long,” one response read. “Just like those young trans and gender non-conforming young people. You’re so brave.”
One comment apparently struck a nerve. “So far you’ve spent your time as health secretary attacking disabled people and ruining the lives of trans people,” the comment read. “I will never vote Labour again because of you! Shame on you Wes.”
Streeting took the time to respond to this post. “I’m opening new gender identity clinics to support trans people and put an extra £86 million into the Disabled Facilities Grant,” he said. “Get a grip.”
The NHS plans to open six new gender identity clinics by 2026 to compensate for the two London clinics that were shut down. While the new regional clinics were recommended by the Cass Review, so were restrictions on gender affirming care for trans youth which Streeting has backed. He has also repeatedly signaled support for the so-called “gender critical” movement.
Streeting (a gay man) has admitted that he regrets having once said “trans women are women, trans men are men,” and his actions show it. He has apologized for referring to anti-trans activists as “bigoted.” In December, he extended the ban on puberty blockers instituted under the previous Tory government. He also reportedly met with an anti-trans group practicing conversion therapy on minors and expressed sympathy with the parents.
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