‘Wales will offer free abortions to Northern Ireland women’
FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has said that Wales will offer free abortions to women from Northern Ireland.
Last week, the UK Government agreed women from Northern Ireland should have equal access to free abortions via the NHS in England.
In Westminster, more than 50 MPs from the major parties backed a Labour-led call for women from Northern Ireland to have access to free NHS abortions in England during the debate on the Queen’s Speech.
In the Senedd last week, Mr Jones was asked by Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood if the same scheme would be on offer in Wales.
He replied: “The answer is yes, that’s what we want to do. We’re look- ing at the detail of how that can be done. We want to make sure that the same service is on offer in Wales as in England and Scotland.
“There are issues such as, for example, travel costs and issues such as how do you provide ongoing care following a procedure rather than people just going home. These things are being considered at the moment.
“But I can assure the leader of Plaid Cymru that what we’re looking to do is to make sure that Wales, England Scotland are offering the same service.”
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: “It is important that the Welsh Government provides free access to abortion services for women from the north of Ireland and I’m pleased to have secured a commitment from the First Minister on this matter.
“This is a matter of equality of treatment. Women in the north of Ireland do not have access to legal, safe abortion there. They are not able to decide what happens to their bodies. That isn’t right.
“Plaid Cymru supports this move and I am pleased that the Welsh Government has taken this important step.”
Julie Morgan, Assembly Member for Cardiff North, also welcomed the decision.
She said: “As a result of MP Stella Creasy’s campaign the UK Government decided to fund free abortions in England which I welcome but they must have access to them in Wales too.
“I understand the money in England to pay for abortions for Northern Ireland women will be taken from the Equalities Office. Th i s means there will not be a Barnett Consequential so it’s important to determine where the money will come from in Wales, although the numbers may be small.
“In 2016, 724 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England and Wales to have paid-for legal abortions. I believe women in Northern Ireland should be treated equally and have access to free treatment here in Wales – of course I also believe they should have access to this at home but this is not currently the case.
“We do not want to see women having illegal abortions or taking abortion pills and risking their health because of the cost. We must make sure these women’s right to choose will apply in Wales and help them avoid the stress and stigma of the current situation.”