Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron will not support backbench efforts to strip abortion providers of their role in counselling women considering a termination, it has emerged.
The Prime Minister is said to be "personally sympathetic" to calls by Conservative MP Nadine Dorries for more advice for women in that position.
But he opposes her attempt to prevent organisations like Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service being allowed to offer support.
Ms Dorries, backed by Labour MP Frank Field, is hoping to secure a Commons vote on the issue next week when MPs consider the Health and Social Care Bill.
She has tabled an amendment which she says is designed to prevent organisations with a financial interest in performing terminations from providing advice to women.
Downing Street sources said Mr Cameron would not be supporting the amendment if it was called by Commons Speaker John Bercow.
The Prime Minister might vote against it but is more likely to abstain. His backbenchers will have a free vote.
The Department of Health is set to consult later this year on proposals to improve access to information and advice for women thinking of having an abortion.
A spokeswoman said: "The discussions currently under way do not represent any moral shift in the Government's approach to abortion as an issue, and there are no changes to the Abortion Act involved.
"Instead, the concern is to ensure that women, in what is an extremely difficult and often traumatic situation, have access to information and counselling that best meets their needs. We will continue to discuss this with all involved in the debate.
"We plan to consult widely on these proposals later this year."
After reports that the Government had initially been planning to tighten up abortion law, shadow equalities minister Yvette Cooper accused the Government of being in "confusion and chaos" on the issue.
"Once again the Government has shown itself slow to understand issues which have a powerful effect on women's lives," she said.
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments