Alithea Williams, blogpost
In the last few weeks, there have been a number of developments around the DIY/home abortion policy. Understandably, many supporters are getting confused as to where we are now, and what action needs taking. Here’s a timeline of events to bring you up to date.
March 2020: In response to the Covid pandemic, and after lobbying by abortion providers, the Government introduces a temporary approval allowing doctors to prescribe abortion drugs from their own homes, to be sent to women in their homes. Scotland and Wales bring in similar measures.
September 2020: The three Governments launch public consultations on making these measures permanent.
June 2021: The Scottish Government releases an analysis of their consultation results, but does not make a decision on the permanence of the policy.
24 February 2022: The Westminster Government announces that, following a six month extension, the DIY abortion policy will be scrapped in August 2022, with pre-COVID regulatory requirements for the provision of chemical abortion to be reinstated. The Government also publishes the consultation results, which show that 70% of all respondents called for the scheme to end immediately. On the same day, the Welsh Government announces (without publishing full consultation results) that the scheme will be made permanent in Wales.
17 March 2022: Baroness Sugg tables an amendment to the Health and Care Bill to put DIY abortion on the statute book. Despite the Government opposing it, it is passed by peers in a vote that takes place after 1am, by 75 votes to 35.
What happens now?
The amendment will now be passed to the House of Commons. The consideration by the House of Commons of the amendment is not expected to take place until after the House returns from the Easter recess. The House of Commons returns on Tuesday 19 April. If the amendment passes through the Commons, it will be written into law.
What do I need to do?
We need supporters to urgently write to their MP, calling on them to oppose this amendment, and to vote against it. We were promised that this measure would be temporary. The public consultation showed that people want the policy to end, by a large majority. Click here to send a message to your MP.
What if I live in Wales or Scotland?
You can still write to your MP, as they represent you in Parliament, and will have the right to vote on this. However, to influence policy in your own area, you should write to your MSP/MS. Following the announcement by the Welsh Government, we have four suggested actions for supporters in Wales.