Parliament has brought people in Northern Ireland one step closer to being able to access abortion services, after MPs voted to transfer powers back from Belfast’s nonfunctioning government to the secretary of state.

The historic vote marks the culmination of a long campaign from MPs and charities to urge the government to intervene to grant abortion rights in Northern Ireland.

Ministers have previously refused to do so, saying the issue has been devolved to Stormont. However, the new legislation compels the government to act if the Northern Irish Assembly does not resume.

MPs voted 332–99 in support of amendments to the government’s Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill, brought forward by a group of cross-party MPs led by Labour’s Stella Creasy.

The amendment confers powers on the secretary of state for Northern Ireland in the absence of devolved government and requires the government to comply with its human rights obligations.