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01/09/2011
Gov U-Turn On Abortion Vote
The government has reversed its decision over the removal of the responsibility of charities and medics to provide counselling to women seeking an abortion.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health was expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling services to women contemplating abortions.
However, it emerged on Thursday that the Government will now advise MPs to vote against the proposals from a Conservative backbencher if they are put before the Commons next week.
The furore emerged after Conservative backbench MP Nadine Dorries and the Labour backbencher Frank Field proposed changes to abortion legislation, which they claimed would reduce the UKs record abortion rate.
The 'pro-life' campaign called for an end to the clinics offering compulsory counselling for abortions they would provide, and switching the service to independent organisations.
But, it has emerged that instead of going along with the amendment, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and other senior members of the government are now expected to vote against the Dorries amendment.
Campaigners believe the change would result in up to 60,000 fewer abortions each year in Britain and argue that as the charities who carry out abortion gain financially out of the procedures they should not be the ones to provide advice to women.
Speaking on Wednesday, MP Dorries said: "I'll say it again, no organisation which is paid for carrying out abortions and no organisation that thinks it's appropriate to bring God into a counselling session with a vulnerable woman, should be allowed anywhere near the counselling room."
However, Baroness Deech, who served for eight years as head of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, responded to the campaign saying the plans to offer all women thinking of have an abortion independent counselling were merely a "smokescreen" to limit a woman's right to choose.
The Baroness added that the measure would have the effect of reducing funding for charities, which offer abortions by removing the right for them to provide counselling themselves.
The government said it would continue to consult on ways to improve counselling services for women seeking a termination.
(DW/CD)
On Wednesday, the Department of Health was expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling services to women contemplating abortions.
However, it emerged on Thursday that the Government will now advise MPs to vote against the proposals from a Conservative backbencher if they are put before the Commons next week.
The furore emerged after Conservative backbench MP Nadine Dorries and the Labour backbencher Frank Field proposed changes to abortion legislation, which they claimed would reduce the UKs record abortion rate.
The 'pro-life' campaign called for an end to the clinics offering compulsory counselling for abortions they would provide, and switching the service to independent organisations.
But, it has emerged that instead of going along with the amendment, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and other senior members of the government are now expected to vote against the Dorries amendment.
Campaigners believe the change would result in up to 60,000 fewer abortions each year in Britain and argue that as the charities who carry out abortion gain financially out of the procedures they should not be the ones to provide advice to women.
Speaking on Wednesday, MP Dorries said: "I'll say it again, no organisation which is paid for carrying out abortions and no organisation that thinks it's appropriate to bring God into a counselling session with a vulnerable woman, should be allowed anywhere near the counselling room."
However, Baroness Deech, who served for eight years as head of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, responded to the campaign saying the plans to offer all women thinking of have an abortion independent counselling were merely a "smokescreen" to limit a woman's right to choose.
The Baroness added that the measure would have the effect of reducing funding for charities, which offer abortions by removing the right for them to provide counselling themselves.
The government said it would continue to consult on ways to improve counselling services for women seeking a termination.
(DW/CD)
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31 August 2011
Abortion Advice To Change
The Department of Health is expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling to women contemplating abortions.
Abortion Advice To Change
The Department of Health is expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling to women contemplating abortions.
19 June 2008
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
New figures published today have shown a rise in abortions among young girls. The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007. The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007. In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
New figures published today have shown a rise in abortions among young girls. The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007. The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007. In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
21 September 2005
Late abortion referrals case ruled legal
A charity that referred a woman seeking a late abortion to a clinic abroad did not break the law, an inquiry has concluded. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) launched an investigation into the handling of late abortion cases by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, following newspaper allegations.
Late abortion referrals case ruled legal
A charity that referred a woman seeking a late abortion to a clinic abroad did not break the law, an inquiry has concluded. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) launched an investigation into the handling of late abortion cases by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, following newspaper allegations.
15 September 2006
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
23 July 2010
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
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