The Scottish Government is considering offering free abortions to women in Northern Ireland, which would significantly undermine Northern Ireland’s current laws on abortion.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister is currently in talks with Catherine Calderwood, the country’s chief medical officer, on ways in which Scotland could offer Northern Irish women free abortions on the NHS.

Sturgeon’s views run completely counter to public opinion on abortion. Recent extensive polling carried out by ComRes on abortion by Where Do They Stand show that the UK general public would like to see greater protections introduced to protect both the mother and the unborn child, not further liberalisation of abortion.

79% of the general population support the introduction of a five-day cooling off period to ensure women considering an abortion can carefully consider all the options available to her and not feel pressured into having an abortion.

The Supreme Court issued a judgement just last week that stated that there is no right to free abortion on the NHS in the rest of the UK for women from Northern Ireland.

CARE’s Chief Executive Nola Leach:

“Missing from all of Nicola Sturgeon’s comments is the reality that women and girls who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy need support. The offer of a free abortion in another country is short-sighted and neglects to mention any offer of counselling or care for the woman.”

“If the Scottish government does indeed create plans in response to these talks it will form a very concerning constitutional precedent.”

“If Nicola Sturgeon stands by her views on devolution, she should respect the will of the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly rather than working to undermine it.”

“A better use of time and funds would be for Nicola Sturgeon to review current Scottish abortion laws to reflect public opinion that wants to see greater protections introduced to uphold the rights of both the mother and the unborn child, not the further liberalisation of abortion.”

Ends

Notes to the editor:

For more information please contact Rachael Adams on 020 7227 4731 / 07851 153693 or rachael.adams@care.org.uk

CARE is a leading charity that works with MSPs, MPs, Peers, and MLAs to lobby for changes in legislation relating to human dignity. You can read about the success we’ve had and our latest work here.

For more information on the study check out Where Do They Stand

ComRes interviewed 2,008 British adults online between 12th and 14th May 2017. Data was weighted to be representative of all GB adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

For more information on the Supreme Court judgement decision please click here.