The UK government has announced it will ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales – but not for people with gender dysphoria who claim a transgender identity.

The move came hours after it had said it would drop plans for the ban entirely.

The announcement on Thursday evening that ministers would explore non-legislative routes to stop the practice was met by a backlash from LGBT groups and MPs.

The Evangelical Alliance reacted with surprise to the developments. They have consistently called on the government to honour its two prior, public commitments on conversion therapy – to end coercive and abusive practices while ensuring people can receive the prayer and spiritual support they choose.

They say no ban should have the effect of stopping churches or Christian ministries from teaching a biblical view of marriage as between a man and a woman, and sexual activity as reserved for that; it should not stop churches from providing pastoral care or prayer support for people who seek it. And it certainly should not stop churches from engaging in the spiritual formation of young people.

Other Church leaders have written to Boris Johnson to express “considerable concern” over the Government’s decision not to abandon its proposed conversion therapy ban.