Don’t Let Religion Undermine Abortion Access, NSS Urges

National Secular Society ✒ has warned the government that access to safe abortions should not be subject to a "religious veto".

The NSS has sought assurances from the secretary of state for health and social care that the decision over extending provisions to allow early medical abortions at home will not be "unduly influenced by those who ideologically oppose abortion and seek to make it harder for women to access abortion services".

In a letter to Sajid Javid, the NSS said religious ideology should not influence healthcare policies, "especially when appeasing 'pro-life' religious interest groups will undermine the health, safety and well-being of women".

In light of the pandemic, in 2020 the government enabled women to receive medication by post for abortions before 10 weeks' gestation, following a telephone consultation.

Last year the NSS backed proposals to make the 'pills by post' provisions permanent.

The NSS's letter follows an intervention from the Church of England calling for the provisions to be scrapped.

Mark Sheard, chairman of the Church's Mission and Public Affairs Council, said:

We shall expect the temporary provision to be removed by the end of March, if Anot sooner, and the bishop of Carlisle (the lead bishop for healthcare issues) has written accordingly to the Secretary of State for Health.

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