Currently, women in Scotland who are more than 20 weeks are forced to travel to England to access abortion care, except in exceptional circumstances such as foetal anomaly or serious risk to the mother’s life. READ MORE:Data published by the UK Government shows that 175 women resident in Scotland had abortions in England and Wales in 2023, up from 168 in 2022. Previous figures from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) show that in 2023 it treated 88 women who lived in Scotland but could not access abortion care locally due to a lack of provision. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are working urgently with NHS Boards, National Services Scotland, and other key stakeholders to ensure that women can access later stage abortion care in Scotland. “It is right that women should be able to access abortion services within Scotland in a timely, safe and equitable manner.

Source: The Herald January 15, 2026 17:25 UTC