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Northern Ireland women to get abortions free on NHS Northern Ireland women to get abortions free on NHS
(35 minutes later)
Women from Northern Ireland will be able to get abortions on the NHS in England, the chancellor has announced. Women from Northern Ireland will be able to get abortions on the NHS in England, the government has said
More than 50 MPs from the major parties had backed a call for Northern Irish women to have abortions for free in England - they currently have to pay. More than 50 MPs from the major parties had backed a Labour-led call for the women to have abortions for free in England - they currently have to pay.
In Northern Ireland abortions are only allowed if a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her physical or mental health. The BBC's political editor said ministers made the concession because it appeared some Tory MPs might back the call, risking a possible defeat.
The concession came ahead of a vote on the issue in the House of Commons. Northern Ireland's abortion laws are much stricter than the rest of the UK.
An amendment on the issue which had cross-party backing, had been selected for inclusion in the Queen's Speech debate - which meant Theresa May's government ran the risk of possible defeat. Abortions are only allowed in Northern Ireland if a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her physical or mental health. Rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormalities are not circumstances in which they can be performed legally.
Since the election Mrs May no longer has a majority of MPs so has to rely on backing from the 10 DUP MPs - but even then she remains vulnerable to a rebellion from her own Conservative MPs.
Northern Ireland's abortion law is much stricter than the rest of the UK - rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormalities are not circumstances in which they can be performed legally.
Women in Northern Ireland seeking an abortion can travel to England to have one privately, but had not been allowed to have them free on the NHS - a position that was backed by the UK Supreme Court earlier this month.Women in Northern Ireland seeking an abortion can travel to England to have one privately, but had not been allowed to have them free on the NHS - a position that was backed by the UK Supreme Court earlier this month.
An amendment on the issue, co-ordinated by Labour's Stella Creasy, which had cross-party backing, had been selected for inclusion in the Queen's Speech debate - which meant Theresa May's government ran the risk of possible defeat.
Since the election Mrs May no longer has a majority of MPs so has to rely on backing from the 10 DUP MPs - but even then she remains vulnerable to a rebellion from her own Conservative MPs.
The news of the change of policy was welcomed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service which described it as a "landmark moment: for years the women of Northern Ireland, despite being UK citizens and taxpayers, have not been entitled to NHS-funded treatment".The news of the change of policy was welcomed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service which described it as a "landmark moment: for years the women of Northern Ireland, despite being UK citizens and taxpayers, have not been entitled to NHS-funded treatment".
Analysis, by BBC political editor Laura KuenssbergAnalysis, by BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg
Without an overall majority, the Tories were facing a defeat after an impressive campaign by the Labour backbencher Stella Creasy that had garnered support among plenty of Conservatives who looked like they might rebel and vote with her, rather than with their party bosses.Without an overall majority, the Tories were facing a defeat after an impressive campaign by the Labour backbencher Stella Creasy that had garnered support among plenty of Conservatives who looked like they might rebel and vote with her, rather than with their party bosses.
Rather than risk a defeat on a critical day when the Queen's Speech has to pass, Conservative ministers were willing to shift in the end - to make a big concession to avoid being beaten.Rather than risk a defeat on a critical day when the Queen's Speech has to pass, Conservative ministers were willing to shift in the end - to make a big concession to avoid being beaten.
Queen's Speech votes are seen as a matter of confidence votes in any government. After chucking away her majority, it is vital today that Theresa May avoids any further embarrassment.Queen's Speech votes are seen as a matter of confidence votes in any government. After chucking away her majority, it is vital today that Theresa May avoids any further embarrassment.
Read more from LauraRead more from Laura
Abortion provider Marie Stopes UK said it was "a hugely positive step forward, but there is no reason why these services shouldn't be provided in Northern Ireland, saving thousands of women each year the cost and stress of travelling to the mainland".Abortion provider Marie Stopes UK said it was "a hugely positive step forward, but there is no reason why these services shouldn't be provided in Northern Ireland, saving thousands of women each year the cost and stress of travelling to the mainland".
But anti-abortion charity Life said the government should be "neutral on the issue of abortion". "This action by the Department for Women and Equalities not only undermines that neutrality, but also shows an abject disdain for Parliament, by seeking to bring this change in via the back door, avoiding full debate on this issue."But anti-abortion charity Life said the government should be "neutral on the issue of abortion". "This action by the Department for Women and Equalities not only undermines that neutrality, but also shows an abject disdain for Parliament, by seeking to bring this change in via the back door, avoiding full debate on this issue."
In a debate on the Queen's Speech on Thursday, Chancellor Philip Hammond was asked by the Conservative Sir Peter Bottomley, why, in the case of women from Northern Ireland, "only the poor should be denied lawful abortions".In a debate on the Queen's Speech on Thursday, Chancellor Philip Hammond was asked by the Conservative Sir Peter Bottomley, why, in the case of women from Northern Ireland, "only the poor should be denied lawful abortions".
Sir Peter was among MPs from various parties to sign the amendment, co-ordinated by Labour's Stella Creasy.Sir Peter was among MPs from various parties to sign the amendment, co-ordinated by Labour's Stella Creasy.
Mr Hammond told him that Justine Greening, the minister for women and equalities, "either has made or is just about to make an announcement by way of a letter to members of this house explaining that she intends to intervene to fund abortions in England for women arriving here from Northern Ireland".Mr Hammond told him that Justine Greening, the minister for women and equalities, "either has made or is just about to make an announcement by way of a letter to members of this house explaining that she intends to intervene to fund abortions in England for women arriving here from Northern Ireland".
Sarah's storySarah's story
Just a few weeks after Sarah Ewart's wedding she found out she was pregnant - it was planned and she was delighted.Just a few weeks after Sarah Ewart's wedding she found out she was pregnant - it was planned and she was delighted.
"People had talked about the 3D scans so we decided to get one privately," she said."People had talked about the 3D scans so we decided to get one privately," she said.
"The stenographer had put the baby on the screen and was telling us, "There's the legs, oh, you're having a wee girl"."The stenographer had put the baby on the screen and was telling us, "There's the legs, oh, you're having a wee girl".
"She went up the body and when she got to the baby's head there was nothing from above the baby's eyes - there was no skull or brain formation"."She went up the body and when she got to the baby's head there was nothing from above the baby's eyes - there was no skull or brain formation".
Sarah's baby had Anencephaly. It occurs in about six of every 10,000 births. There is no treatment for it.Sarah's baby had Anencephaly. It occurs in about six of every 10,000 births. There is no treatment for it.
"The baby wasn't going to survive, the minute the umbilical cord was cut, the baby would have passed away."The baby wasn't going to survive, the minute the umbilical cord was cut, the baby would have passed away.
"When I realised that, I felt I couldn't continue on for nine months with people asking me when I was due and about my pregnancy - to not have a baby at the end of it. I felt I couldn't go through with it.""When I realised that, I felt I couldn't continue on for nine months with people asking me when I was due and about my pregnancy - to not have a baby at the end of it. I felt I couldn't go through with it."
Read more about Sarah's storyRead more about Sarah's story
The concession came on the same day Belfast's Court of Appeal ruled abortion law in Northern Ireland should be left to the Stormont Assembly, not judges - effectively overturning an earlier ruling that the current abortion laws were incompatible with human rights laws.
Campaigner Sarah Ewart, who travelled to England for a termination in 2013 after doctors said her unborn child had no chance of survival outside the womb, said of the chancellor's announcement that it was positive news, but it was unfortunate that women from Northern Ireland found themselves in this position in the first place.Campaigner Sarah Ewart, who travelled to England for a termination in 2013 after doctors said her unborn child had no chance of survival outside the womb, said of the chancellor's announcement that it was positive news, but it was unfortunate that women from Northern Ireland found themselves in this position in the first place.
Following the concession from the government the amendment to the Queen's Speech may well be withdrawn. The prime minister's official spokeswoman said later the government had estimated the cost of the decision to be "around £1m a year" and that the government was "prepared to fund in excess of this" if needed. The estimate was based on the 724 women who travelled from Northern Ireland last year to have an abortion.
That would leave amendments to be debated and voted on covering a call for several of Labour's manifesto pledges to be adopted, plus one to ensure that Brexit delivers the "exact same benefits" of the current EU single market and customs union membership. She added that ministers had "had concerns about the issue and that's why we're taking action". Further detail would be set out by the Department of Health and the Department for Education including when this new measure will start.
Following the concession from the government, Stella Creasy's amendment was withdrawn.
That leaves amendments to be debated and voted on covering a call for several of Labour's manifesto pledges to be adopted, plus one to ensure that Brexit delivers the "exact same benefits" of the current EU single market and customs union membership.
There will also be a vote on an amendment from Labour's Chuka Umunna, which calls for the UK to remain in the single market and customs union after Brexit - although this is not the policy of Mr Umunna's front bench.There will also be a vote on an amendment from Labour's Chuka Umunna, which calls for the UK to remain in the single market and customs union after Brexit - although this is not the policy of Mr Umunna's front bench.
The concession on abortion came on the same day Belfast's Court of Appeal ruled abortion law in Northern Ireland should be left to the Stormont Assembly, not judges - effectively overturning an earlier ruling that the current abortion laws were incompatible with human rights laws.