Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The decision of the NIO to impose the teaching of access to abortion in Northern Ireland, regardless of the ethos of schools, speaks volumes about their priorities. At the very time when the NIO has introduced a mean budget which has put pressure on schools across the Province, they find time to meddle in such matters. I would remind parents that they retain the right to absent their children from the teaching of RSE and with these latest changes I would positively encourage them to exercise that right.
“While one can certainly make the argument that the Government may see this as another attempt to cajole Unionists back into being Protocol implementers, it is worth remembering that the Government had no regard for devolution when imposing abortion upon Northern Ireland. Furthermore, with the current makeup of Stormont it is highly likely that similar proposals would pass there anyway.
“It is scandalous that the NIO is prepared to underfund education but impose left wing ideology when it comes to RSE.”