Christian group denounces U.K. government's plan to provide free abortions for women from Northern Ireland

A Christian campaign group has denounced the British government's plan to provide free abortion services for pregnant women from Northern Ireland, where the procedure is heavily restricted.

On Monday, the government announced that by the end of the year, women from Northern Ireland will be able to access free abortion services, and a central telephone booking system will be set up to allow them to arrange an appointment with a healthcare professional in England.

Equalities minister Justine Greening said that the Government Equalities Office will bear the costs of the service, and additional funding will be provided by HM Treasury.

The U.K. government initially announced plans to provide free abortions in late June. Dozens of Conservatives had indicated their intentions to vote on an amendment spearheaded by the Labour MP Stella Creasy to give Northern Irish women free access to the procedure.

The Westminster-based Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) warned the government not to "overstretch its reach," adding that "it does not have a mandate to intervene in Northern Ireland."

"What we ought to be doing is providing much more care and support for a woman who is facing a pregnancy and is in turmoil about it, not just throwing... it's short-sighted," said Nola Leach, chief executive of CARE, told Premier.

The announcement came ahead of the 50th anniversary of Britain's Abortion Act on Friday. The measure legalized abortions in England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland.

CARE cited a recent study that concluded that "there were 100,000 people alive today because of Northern Ireland's laws on abortion."

"Meanwhile over 8 million lives have been lost in the fifty years since the 1967 Abortion Act was introduced in Great Britain," the group noted.

Prior to the government's announcement, Irish judges had ruled that women could not obtain free abortions through Britain's National Health Services, citing "respect to the democratic decision of the people of Northern Ireland."

However, the decision was reversed by Scottish and Welsh governments, citing the 2016 Scotland Act, which grants "devolved powers" over abortion.

"The Scottish government's view is that abortion should be part of standard healthcare for all women, and available free from stigma," Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stated after the reversal of the decision.

Greening noted that since the announcement in June, the three main providers of abortions in England had not been charging Northern Irish women. She said that the government will be reimbursing the clinics with the cost of the procedures.

Studies have indicated that around 700 Northern Irish women travel to England, Wales or Scotland each year to obtain an abortion. Those who earn less than £15,276 (US$20,278) or are receiving income support will now also get their travel and accommodation paid.