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Written question asked by Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Circumcision and Female Genital Mutilation: Death

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many child deaths between 2001 to 2025 in England and Wales have resulted from (1) female genital mutilation, and (2) non-therapeutic male circumcision.

Answer

The Department was an interested party in the inquest into Mohamed Abdisamad and is aware of the circumstances surrounding his death. The Department is considering the related Prevention of Future Deaths Report issued by the coroner and will respond in due course.

The Government has no current plans to bring forward legislation or further guidance on non-therapeutic male circumcision.

The Department and NHS England do not routinely collate information on deaths arising from female genital mutilation (FGM) or non-therapeutic male circumcision.

Religious or cultural circumcisions by individuals who are not registered healthcare professionals remain outside the regulatory scope.

The Department has made no recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing regulation of non-therapeutic circumcision when performed by individuals other than healthcare professionals.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13356
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Children Death Circumcision Female genital mutilation
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk