Campaign reply - Will you support Baroness Sugg's amendment in the House of Commons?

Thank you for contacting me about the provision of early medical abortion. 

I completely understand that this can be an incredibly emotive issue, and can fully appreciate the strength of your feelings on this matter. Given the sensitivities and as with other matters of conscience, the Government adopts a neutral stance on abortion, allowing Conservative MPs to vote freely according to their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. This is a convention which I support wholeheartedly.

In March 2020, the Government put in place a temporary measure in England, enabling women to take both pills for early medical abortion up to ten weeks (nine weeks and six days) gestation in their own homes, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic. Following consultation, the Government announced a six-month extension to the temporary arrangements, with the intention of returning to pre-Covid arrangements on 29th August.

However, an amendment tabled to the Health and Care Act made permanent these temporary measures. Following a free vote, MPs voted in favour of the amendment to make the provisions permanent.

For my part, I voted in against this amendment because I have concerns about the lack of face-to-face contact with a health care professional and the potential for coercion from partners or other family members. I also am concerned that the emotional health of the woman is not being addressed. I feel this is regressive, not progressive.

 

However, following this vote, I am assured that the Government will work with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and abortion providers to ensure that they can safely offer telemedicine abortion services on a permanent basis and that all women are genuinely offered the choice of a face-to-face appointment.  I'm also glad that the Government will work with those in the violence against women and girls sector, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, professional bodies such as the Royal Colleges and safeguarding leads, to monitor the impacts of home-use.

 

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.