Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; how many were (1) surgical, and (2) through the prescription of pills; and what are the current arrangements in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland for surgical abortion.

The latest publicly available data shows that between 1 April 2020 and 22 September 2022, a total of 4,136 notifications of termination were submitted to the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland.

Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland currently provide early medical abortion services up to ten weeks gestation. Information on the current arrangements for surgical abortions performed in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland is held by the Department of Health.

On Monday 24 October, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced that the UK Government will commission abortion services in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State will be meeting the Chief Executives of each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks to discuss arrangements and ensure services can be provided.