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Rise in NI women going to England for abortions

Science Photo Library Two womenScience Photo Library
Terminations are only permitted in NI if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health

More than 900 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England for an abortion last year, according to UK Department of Health figures.

The number was an increase of over 25% on the year before and the highest level since 2011.

The law is much stricter in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK.

It is only permitted if a woman's life is at risk, or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health.

Fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest are not circumstances in which abortions can be performed legally.

The High Court in Belfast ruled in 2015 that this was incompatible with human rights law.

On Thursday human rights campaigners lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of Northern Ireland's abortion law.

The new 2017 figures showed that numbers of Northern Ireland residents having an abortion in England and Wales has generally declined since a peak of 1,855 in 1990.

AFP/getty A woman, open mouthed, at a rally holds up a sign saying 'our bodies, our choice'AFP/getty

The 2017 total is a decrease of 35% since 2007.

Overall, 64% of non-residents travelled from the Republic of Ireland and 19% from Northern Ireland

In May, the Republic of Ireland voted decisively in a referendum to reform the country's strict abortion laws, which had effectively banned all terminations.

Wednesday's figures from the Department of Health in England and Wales show that 4,809 abortions for non-residents were carried out in England and Wales, a similar level to 2016.

Getty Images Anti-abortion protester, file picGetty Images
Anti-abortion groups oppose changes to the law in Northern Ireland

In June 2017 the government announced women from Northern Ireland will be able to get free abortions in England.

Figures show there has been an increase in the number of women from Northern Ireland having an abortion in England and Wales since the funding announcement.

In 2017, 919 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England for a termination, up from 724 in 2016.

Nine out of 10 abortions were carried out under 13 weeks. The highest abortion rate is amongst women aged 20-24.

AFP/Getty Images Pro-choice campaigners hold up signs calling for the liberalisation of abortion laws in Northern IrelandAFP/Getty Images
Attention has turned to Northern Ireland after the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of overturning the country's abortion ban

Some 98% of abortions were funded by the NHS, the same level since 2013, but an increase from 88% in 2007.

The abortion referendum in the Republic of Ireland reignited a debate about Northern Ireland's law, with some calling for reform while others, including the biggest party, the DUP, remain opposed to changing the law.