UK: Political row over pregnancy counselling

Nadine Dorries MP’s proposal to strip abortion charities of their role in pregnancy counselling has prompted front-page coverage in the British press, and commentary questioning the political agenda behind the reforms.

Nadine Dorries MP in March tabled an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill, dealing with the provision of pregnancy advice and counselling for women considering an abortion. The amendment’s main proposal is that a woman seeking ‘information, advice and counselling’ about her pregnancy is provided with an ‘independent’ service – rather than it being provided by organisations that also provide abortions, as is currently the case.

The Health and Social Care Bill is due to be debated in the House of Commons on 6-7 September. From Sunday 28 August, the Dorries amendment has gained much attention in the UK media, prompting a vigorous discussion. A selection of the coverage is below.

On 28 August, the front page of the Sunday Telegraph reported that ‘Abortion rules are set to be tightened by the Government in the biggest shake-up in a generation’, writing that: ‘The Department of Health is to announce plans for a new system of independent counselling for women before they finally commit to terminating a pregnancy. The move is designed to give women more “breathing space”’. more on >>

Source: http://www.abortionreview.org