Two-child benefit cap influencing women’s decisions on abortion, says BPAS

Charity says policy was important factor in many deciding to terminate pregnancies during the pandemic

Patrick Butler Social policy editor
Thu 3 Dec 2020

The controversial “two-child limit” restricting the amount that larger families can receive in social security benefits was a key factor in many women’s decisions to terminate their pregnancy during the pandemic, according to a leading abortion charity.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said over half of the women it surveyed who had an abortion during the pandemic, and who were aware of the two-child limit and likely to be affected by it, said the policy was “important in their decision-making around whether or not to continue the pregnancy.”

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/03/two-child-limit-on-benefits-a-key-factor-in-many-abortion-decisions-says-charity

03.12.2020

Bpas

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

increase in abortion rates

Jonathan Reynolds

Katherine O’Brien

two-child benefit cap

Manchester’s teenage conception rate drops 62% in ten years

Manchester's teenage conception rate drops 62% in ten years

16 Jun 2020
By Billy Brake

The latest data supplied by the Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group shows a decrease in 62% teenage conceptions, from 2,562 in 2008 to 978 in 2018.

The decrease shown by the latest figures fits into a national trend observed over the same year period, with teenage pregnancies dropping by 55% across the country.

Continued: http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/160678867-manchesters-teenage-conception-rate-drops-62-ten-years

16.06.2020

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Northern Irish women told to sail to England for abortions despite pandemic

Northern Irish women told to sail to England for abortions despite pandemic

Amanda Ferguson, Reuters
April 7, 2020

BELFAST — Northern Irish women seeking an abortion have been told they must take an 8-hour ferry to England despite the lockdown, as the regional government resists pressure to offer abortions locally and the coronavirus pandemic stops flights.

Abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland last year after the British parliament bypassed opposition from socially conservative Christian politicians in Belfast to bring the region into line with the rest of the United Kingdom, where abortion has been legal for decades.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/northern-irish-women-told-to-sail-to-england-for-abortions-despite-pandemic

Campaigners Welcome Historic Day As Abortion Decriminalised In Northern Ireland

CAMPAIGNERS WELCOME HISTORIC DAY AS ABORTION DECRIMINALISED IN NORTHERN IRELAND

21st October 2019
For immediate release

Today is a landmark moment for reproductive rights in Northern Ireland, and for women and girls who have been living under one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. At midnight tonight, abortion will be decriminalised, and we will be one step closer to free, safe, legal and local abortion in Northern Ireland. Women and girls in Northern Ireland have been left behind for too long - and today marks a historic step in bringing this cruel injustice to an end.

In July 2019, the UK Parliament voted in favour of an amendment proposed by Stella Creasy MP and supported by pro-choice groups across the UK. Section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Bill 2019 passed by 332-99 votes in the House of Commons and 182-37 in the House of Lords. Section 9 states that decriminalisation of abortion would take effect if no Executive was formed in Northern Ireland by October 21st.

Continued: https://londonirisharc.com/press-releases/2019/6/14/campaigners-welcome-historic-day-as-abortion-decriminalised-in-northern-ireland

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Laws Are Archaic – But The Fight Isn’t Over

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Laws Are Archaic – But The Fight Isn’t Over
Today’s ruling is a hard-won victory for women. Now, we need to confine these cruel laws to history, writes BPAS’ Katherine O’Brien.

By Katherine O'Brien
03/10/2019

On Thursday a ruling from the High Court in Belfast has confirmed what campaigners, healthcare providers, and the women of Northern Ireland have known for years – that the country’s archaic, cruel abortion law is in breach of the UK’s human rights commitments.

This is a hard-won victory. Sarah Ewart is a young mother who had to travel to England for an abortion after receiving the devastating diagnosis that her baby would not survive outside the womb. Sarah has spent years in and out of court in order to challenge the near-total abortion ban which does not permit abortion in cases of fatal foetal anomaly. The ruling on Thursday that the current ban is in breach of her human rights is a testament to her bravery and courage.

Continued: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/northern-ireland-abortion_uk_5d960963e4b0da7f6622ba23?mc_cid=ecd51c5cf2&mc_eid=daef22644f&guccounter=1

BBC condemned for ‘completely outdated’ abortion position by women’s healthcare organisations

BBC condemned for 'completely outdated' abortion position by women’s healthcare organisations
'We were absolutely shocked by corporation's stance,' says spokesperson for UK’s largest provider

Maya Oppenheim, Women's Correspondent @mayaoppenheim
Feb 13, 2019

Women’s healthcare organisations have voiced outrage over the BBC's “completely outdated” position on abortion after the broadcaster failed to provide information on its website because the issue was deemed too "contentious".

The furore surfaced after last week’s episode of period drama Call the Midwife in which one of the characters died as a result of complications from an illegal “backstreet” abortion.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-abortion-call-the-midwife-bpas-family-planning-action-line-a8779206.html

13.02.2019

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Theresa May is throwing Northern Irish women under the bus to protect her own weak majority

Theresa May is throwing Northern Irish women under the bus to protect her own weak majority

Emma Campbell
Co-Chair of Alliance for Choice Tuesday
29 Jan 2019

If you turn on the television or radio this week, you will likely hear men in suits discussing the future of Brexit. There will be business people, lorry drivers, farmers and fisherman debating the prospect of what might happen if the UK leaves the EU without a deal in two months time.

But as the clock ticks on towards 29 March and MPs scramble to stop a no-deal Brexit, there is a consequence that has received little media attention, and it could be one of the most serious yet.

Continued: https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/29/theresa-may-is-throwing-northern-irish-women-under-the-bus-to-protect-her-own-weak-majority-8407476/

Google Maps is directing British women to fake abortion clinics

Google Maps is directing British women to fake abortion clinics
'These groups are not pro-life – they are anti-women'

Sarah Young
Nov 5, 2018

Women in the UK seeking an abortion are being directed by Google Maps to pro-life organisations.

Search results for abortion clinics on the web mapping service suggest addresses and phone numbers for a number of “pregnancy crisis centres” - non-profit organisations which counsel pregnant women against having an abortion.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/google-maps-fake-abortion-clinics-unwanted-pregnancy-a8618081.html

UK – 50 MPs Call For Women In England To Be Able To Take Abortion Pills At Home

50 MPs Call For Women In England To Be Able To Take Abortion Pills At Home
Women can begin to miscarry on their way home from clinics, under current regulations.

By Nicola Slawson
July 16, 2018

MPs are calling on the new health and social care secretary to allow women in England to take the second pill required for an abortion at home.

In a letter, which has gained cross-party support from more than 50 MPs, Matt Hancock has been urged to remove the restriction, which requires women to take both drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol) at a licensed clinic or hospital.

Continued: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/more-than-50-mps-urge-matt-hancock-to-let-women-in-england-take-abortion-pills-at-home_uk_5b4c6c91e4b0e7c958fd04be

Women allowed to take abortion pill at home in Wales

Women allowed to take abortion pill at home in Wales

29 June 2018

A decision to allow women to take abortion pills at home in Wales has been welcomed as a "significant" move.

Until now they have had to take two trips to clinics to take medication to terminate the pregnancy, sometimes miles from home.

A charity said women had experienced cramping and bleeding, at times on public transport, trying to get home after taking the pill.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-44643459