Complications from Abortions (Annual Report) Bill [HL]

Baroness Sugg Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 13th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, the goal of improving women’s healthcare through better access to information, particularly regarding potential complications of medical procedures, is indeed important. Access to information enables individuals to make informed choices and allows healthcare professionals to provide safer, more effective services. However, while I support the overall goal, I have concerns about legislating for an annual report in this manner.

First, as we have heard, it is important to emphasise that abortion is a safe and effective medical procedure and, in fact, can be safer than continuing a pregnancy to term. While any medical procedure carries some risks, those associated with abortion are well managed and women are fully informed of them by healthcare professionals, ensuring that they are equipped to make the best decision for their own health. I agree that improving this data collection is crucial. As highlighted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the lack of effective data has hindered innovation and improvement in women’s healthcare and, ultimately, the improvement of patient care. However, as we have heard, BPAS and the royal college have significant concerns about the Bill’s potential to exceptionalise and stigmatise abortion care.

Unlike other medical procedures, abortion would be singled out for mandatory complication reporting. No other procedure is subject to this. Doing so for abortion could create a false impression that it is uniquely dangerous. In reality, complications from abortion are rare—

[Lord Moylan (Con)]

It is already mandatory for complications from abortions to be reported. If that is exceptional, it is not made more so by this Bill. The question is from which data source one draws the reporting of those complications. They are reported and published every year by the department; this would not put a new requirement on abortion reporting.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, as I say, I am very much in favour of ensuring that information is fully available, but I am concerned about having primary legislation singling out one medical procedure. It could promote fear and concern around women and make them feel as though they are not able to make their own choices around healthcare. It should be regulated like any other medical procedure. By treating it differently, we could add stigma. It is important to consider this in the wider context of the current politicisation of the abortion debate around the world.

We have heard about the difficulties of collating and collecting this data. Collating the current available data does not give an accurate picture. These issues were highlighted in the 2023 report. I would be interested to hear from the Minister about the department’s experience of collating the report: whether she thinks it is the best use of resources and indeed whether it led to any practical action that has improved healthcare.

The current reporting systems are far from perfect. We also have to be careful about when we link records, because that is not always desirable. Many women, especially those facing domestic violence or reproductive coercion, may not want their procedure recorded. Confidentiality is crucial for safety. A lack of privacy could deter women from seeking care, putting them at greater risk. For that reason, I cannot support the Bill as it stands.

I agree that improving data collection within women’s healthcare is essential, but that can be achieved in ways that respect privacy while improving care. The NHS 10-year plan and the women’s health strategy update offer a good opportunity to address these challenges effectively, without adding unnecessary legal burdens on the healthcare system. As we look to enhance women’s healthcare, we must proceed carefully and sensitively, balancing data collection with privacy and choice for women.

Overseas Development Assistance

Baroness Sugg Excerpts

Wednesday 14th July 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Agnew of Oulton (Con)]

My Lords, I respectfully disagree with the noble Baroness that it is in breach of the Act. The Act provides for accountability to Parliament in the form of a Statement in the event that the Government do not meet the 0.7% target, to include the fiscal reasons on which the Government rely at that time. This week we have set out clearly and transparently how the Government will approach that task.

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, I struggle to understand how this new policy can be described as temporary. In response to the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, my noble friend the Minister referred to one part of a financial year in the past 20 years, and that was only one. The Written Ministerial Statement refers to “a sustainable basis”. Given the implication of this new policy, it is important to be exact, so can my noble friend define exactly what is meant by “sustainable”?

[Lord Agnew of Oulton (Con)]

My Lords, that will be for when we have re-established a fiscal position that allows us to meet our commitments without having to borrow money on a day-to-day basis. That is the position we are in now, and I respectfully remind noble Lords that it will be the next generation who will pick up the tab for this huge amount of borrowing, and something has to give. That is what has happened in this situation.

G7 Summit

Baroness Sugg Excerpts

Thursday 21st January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, obviously those objectives are encompassed in the agenda set out by the Prime Minister. Promoting future prosperity for all is vital. Incidentally, I am certain that the noble Baroness will welcome the invitation to the Government of Australia to participate.

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, on Tuesday, President Biden announced the formation of a White House gender policy council and committed to restoring America as a champion of women and girls, which is welcome news. I fully support the Prime Minister’s continued focus on girls’ education but can my noble friend the Minister tell me how the UK will work with the United States and other partners to ensure that the wider issue of gender inequality, which has of course been exacerbated by Covid-19, will be properly addressed at the G7 summit?

[Lord True (Con)]

I thank my noble friend for her important question. The Prime Minister has agreed to convene a gender equality advisory council that will report to the G7 leaders and drive an ambitious agenda to ensure that the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on women is recognised and the importance of gender equality is at the heart of an inclusive recovery. I thank my noble friend for her work and leadership in this area. The council will be part of her legacy.