VerbatimParliament, as it happens

IVF: LGBT+ people

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 13 February 2026UIN 111217

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of research from King’s College London, Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Leeds entitled Comparing the Outcomes of In-Vitro Fertilization in Same-Sex Female Couples Using Their Partner's Egg Versus Their Own Egg: A Systematic Review, published on 19 August 2025.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee reviews the published evidence of health outcomes for those having fertility treatment. The last 10 years of evidence were reviewed in June 2025, and further information on the findings of this review can be found at the following link:

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/our-authority-committees-and-panels/scientific-and-clinical-advances-advisory-committee-scaac/#hidden-text-3c9ac9c7-54e1-4578-abb2-b49a73b68140-2

HFEA changed the information on its website relating to the risks of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) because of this review, including risks associated with reciprocal IVF. Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/risks-of-fertility-treatment/

The study had not been published at the time of the review and will be included in the next review by HFEA.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim