PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Abortion: Northern Ireland (17 November 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to support women from Northern Ireland who are required to travel to England, Scotland or Wales to access abortion services during the covid-19 outbreak.

Asked by:
Karin Smyth (Labour)

Since the law on abortion in Northern Ireland changed following the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 coming into force in March 2020, the UK Government has continued to fund arrangements to enable women resident in Northern Ireland to have access to safe abortion services in England under the Abortion Act 1967. The Northern Ireland abortion scheme has been in place in England since June 2017 and the Department of Health and Social Care administers the scheme on behalf of the Government Equalities Office.

The Central Booking Service can also continue to be contacted for support and advice on options available to access abortion services at present. If services are required, all costs of the procedure, including travel and, where needed, accommodation, will be paid for, with no means testing required.

We are continuing to monitor the services being provided where any women and girls from Northern Ireland are still seeking to access services through this scheme.

Answered by:
Mr Robin Walker (Conservative)
24 November 2020