DITHERING ministers are expected to miss their pledge of publishing trans guidance for schools this year.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has failed to release the advice to teachers in her 17 months in the job.
She had promised to review draft guidance issued under the Tories on how schools should approach kids who want to change their gender.
In April Ms Phillipson told MPs she would “publish revised gender-questioning guidance for our schools this year to provide that necessary further clarity”.
But The Sun understands the guidance is unlikely to come before the New Year amid continued haggling over its contents.
Ms Phillipson was not happy with the last government’s version, which said teachers were not obliged to allow a pupil to identify as the opposite sex.
The “gender questioning guidance” said “there is no general duty to allow a child to ‘social transition’” and that parents must be informed.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said: “Bridget Phillipson seems more worried about upsetting the trade unions than doing what is right to protect children.
“This guidance has been gathering dust on her desk for 17 months, while doubts about her integrity continue to grow.
“These are common sense safeguards, yet she appears more focused on playing politics than getting a grip and doing what’s best for children.”
Ms Phillipson is also yet to publish separate advice for businesses on how to implement the Supreme Court ruling to prioritise biological sex in public spaces.
Downing Street insisted they were taking the time to get both sets of guidance right.
An Education Department spokesperson said: “Nothing is more important than the wellbeing of children, so it is vital that we take the time needed to carefully consider the consultation responses and all the relevant evidence on this very complex issue.
“This includes the findings of Dr Hilary Cass’s review, which will be central to the action we take.
“We will soon set out next steps and how we will help schools to make decisions about children who are questioning their gender.”
