Women from Northern Ireland will no longer need to pay for abortions in England
Women from Northern Ireland who travel to England for an abortion will no longer be asked to pay.
Previously, those from Northern Ireland were required to pay for the procedure, but at a ruling in the House Of Commons today, that payment requirement is to be revoked.
The Government Equalities Office, coupled with the UK's Department Of Health, will be receiving additional funding to make this possible.
Letter from Greening to members of the House on funding for abortions for NI women in England pic.twitter.com/iBq0d9jWy6
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) June 29, 2017
There was a huge positive reaction to the news once it was confirmed:
AT LEAST 724 ppl from NI travelled for abortion services last year. People should never have to go through obstacles to access healthcare.
— Anna Cafolla (@AnnaCafolla) June 29, 2017
Success! Government have caved on NI abortion discrimination to 'stave off commons defeat'. Happy to be one of the co-sponsors
— Layla Moran MP (@laylamoran) June 29, 2017
Thank you to MPs on all sides who supported call for change to help northern Irish women have equal access to abortion #MyPledgeHerChoice
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) June 29, 2017
Hammond confirms climbdown over NI abortion rights. Govt "will fund" abortions in England. Details to be spelt out in letter to MPs
— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) June 29, 2017
.@stellacreasy responds to news that funds will be made available for #abortion for NI women but says 'the devil will be in the detail' pic.twitter.com/keBqlOuZai
— BBC Parliament (@BBCParliament) June 29, 2017
