To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of any dangers for vulnerable women presented by the lack of in-person consultations before dispensing abortion pills by post, and the risk of offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 being committed by a third party coercing a pregnancy termination.

The Department recognises safeguarding as an essential aspect of abortion care. As stated in the Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures for approved independent sector abortion providers, we expect all abortion providers to have effective arrangements in place to safeguard vulnerable women accessing home-use early medical abortion who may be experiencing coercion to end a pregnancy. Providers must ensure that all staff are trained in recognising the signs of potential abuse and coercion in adult women and know how to respond. We also require providers to have protocols for onward referral to specialist services where they have reason to suspect someone has experienced abuse.