The Government has dropped its plans to hold a public consultation on whether women seeking an abortion should be offered independent counselling. Health Minister Anna Soubry announced, last week, that the Government ‘did not intend to change the law or the guidelines’. She said that pressing ahead with a consultation on the issue would therefore be nothing more than an ‘otiose exercise’. Last year, MP Nadine Dorries introduced proposals to ensure that women considering an abortion would be guaranteed access to independent advice prior to being referred to an abortion provider. Currently, women considering an abortion are often referred to abortion providers themselves for advice. Ms Dorries argued it was necessary for such women to receive impartial advice and to remove the conflict of interest that exists for abortion providers in the procedure going ahead. Andrea Minichiello Williams, of Christian Concern, commented: ‘This is very disappointing and very little has been given to justify the decision to drop the consultation.
Pray: for all those facing the prospect of having an abortion and for them to have access to quality, independant advice. (Ps.32:8 )