Transgender activists have been accused of attempting to shut down debate, as a former children’s minister said that young people’s welfare is being “sacrificed on the altar of political correctness”.

The women’s minister is facing a backlash after saying that she is “a little cautious” about the number of teenagers undergoing gender reassignment treatment.

Victoria Atkins warned the country needs to be “particularly alert” to the issue, and expressed concern that a rising number of teenagers were seeking “life-changing” medical interventions.

LGBT+ campaigners accused her making "damaging" comments and warned that people's "lives are at stake".

Tim Loughton, a Tory MP and former children’s minister, said that Ms Atkins is “absolutely right” to be cautious about children “rushing” to change their genders.

“Nobody is trying to suppress the right of young people to express themselves and their sexuality in any way,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Of course we should be cautious and give them all the support they need on life changing decisions about their gender.

“My concern is that those who have a political agenda seem to want to sacrifice the welfare of children on the altar of political correctness and equalities whereas every child needs to be respected and supported in their own right. This is about individuals, not other people’s agendas.”