Plans to allow adults to change their gender legally without a doctor’s diagnosis have been delayed amid growing criticism.

Justine Greening, the education secretary, said in July that the government would consult in the autumn on the controversial changes to the Gender Recognition Act. But the consultation has been delayed until at least early next year amid claims that Greening is getting cold feet. According to one source, she has privately admitted the issue is both “complex” and “divisive”.

Last night, a source close to the cabinet minister insisted the proposed reforms would be published in the new year. But that would not happen until Greening’s department had had time to review the number of responses to its LGBT survey, which was launched in the