Jersey – Proposed abortion law reform would ‘remove stigma’

January 29, 2026
Matthew Gray

Women in Jersey will no longer need to justify their reasons for seeking an abortion if a proposed new law is approved.

The minister for health and social services wants to introduce legislation that would allow abortions before 22 weeks and remove current barriers.

The current law in Jersey requires two doctors to agree a woman is in distress before she can have a termination up to 12 weeks. Deputy Andy Howell, assistant health minister, said the proposed changes would help to "take away stigma".

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdjpd49mrmo

29.01.2026

News

abortion law reform

abortion law reform legalizing abortion to 22 weeks

abortion on request

Andy Howell

Christian Action Research and Education

JERSEY – Ministers miss 2025 target for “distressing” abortion system overhaul plan

by Bailiwick Express News Team
January 2, 2026

Ministers have missed their self-imposed deadline to put forward plans for an overhaul Jersey’s abortion law which has been described as a “distressing” and “dehumanising” system for patients.

The Government had pledged to put forward updated legislation by the end of 2025, but Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell confirmed to Express this week that the work is still not complete.

Continued: https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/news/ministers-miss-2025-target-for-distressing-abortion-system-overhaul-plan/

02.01.2026

News

abortion law reform

Andy Howell

Termination of Pregnancy Law

Jersey women forced to travel for abortion face no financial help unless it is ‘medically necessary’

Thursday 7 August 2025

Campaigners have hit out at Jersey's government as it was revealed that while proposed changes to the island's abortion law will allow longer for terminations, women will have to travel off-island for treatment after 13 weeks and pay for it themselves unless it is deemed "medically necessary".

Those seeking an abortion from 13 weeks to 21 weeks and six days, which is the suggested new limit for most terminations, would have to foot the bill for the procedure, as well as travel to the UK and accommodation.

Continued: https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2025-08-07/jersey-women-without-medical-need-denied-abortion-funding

07.08.2025

News

Andy Howell

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Rachael Clarke from the UK's leading abortion care charity

Jersey – Islanders seeking abortions after 13 weeks will have to self-fund travel off-island

by Ruby Filleul
August 6, 2025

Plans to overhaul Jersey’s abortion law will not include financial support for islanders forced to travel off-island for a termination – unless their case is deemed “medically necessary”.

Abortions beyond 12 weeks and six days are not currently available in Jersey – and this will remain the case under proposed changes to the island’s Termination of Pregnancy Law.

Continued: https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/news/islanders-seeking-abortions-after-13-weeks-will-have-to-self-fund-travel-off-island/

06.08.2025

News

abortion is medically necessary

Andy Howell

Jersey’s Termination of Pregnancy Law

Louise Doublet

National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service

travelling for abortion

Europe

Jersey

Jersey – Poverty leading cause of abortions, deputy claims

June 25, 2025
Kate Jennings, BBC News, Jersey

A Jersey politician thinks one of the biggest reasons abortions have increased in the island could be women facing poverty, after a record number of terminations last year.

Deputy Louise Doublet, chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, said data showed financial strain, timing and partner-related issues - such as domestic abuse - were the main reasons women chose terminations.

Ms Doublet said people were less likely to be able to afford to start a family and suggested free contraception.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx5npwg4d1o

25.06.2025

Jersey – Highest number of abortions ever recorded in 2024

June 22, 2025
Lisa Young, BBC News

More abortions took place in Jersey in 2024 than at any time since 2002, a report has found.

The Abortions Report found about 280 pregnancies were terminated in 2024 - up from 260 in 2023, and compared with 210 in 2002. The highest ever number of terminations was recorded among women aged between 25 and 29, the report said.

It also found Jersey's abortion ratio was the highest on record and above the EU average, with 390 terminations per 1,000 live births.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q8dv8lkv5o

22.06.2025

News

abortion numbers

abortion ratio

Jersey Abortions Report

Europe

Jersey

Jersey – Abortion limit could be increased to 21 weeks

by Christie Bailey
24 March 2025

THE legal abortion limit in Jersey could rise to 21 weeks. However, terminations after 12 weeks will still not be widely available in the Island because there are “not currently” the facilities and skills required to “safely deliver later-stage terminations”, according to a recently launched consultation.

Proposed changes to Jersey’s Termination of Pregnancy Law were recently set out in the consultation inviting Islanders to give feedback.

Continued: https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2025/03/24/abortion-limit-could-be-increased-to-21-weeks/

24.03.2025

Jersey’s Termination of Pregnancy Law

Politicians vote in favour of widening abortion access

Jan 22, 2025
Ammar Ebrahim, BBC Jersey political reporter

Jersey politicians have voted to update the island's termination of pregnancy law by removing the residency restrictions that prevent some women getting an abortion. Politicians voted unanimously in favour of removing the restrictions.

Before the vote on Tuesday, women arriving on the island without residency rights had to wait 90 days before they could have an abortion. In Jersey, it is illegal to terminate a pregnancy after 12 weeks, so after 90 days passed, women who were pregnant on arrival or who became pregnant shortly after arriving would not be able to have an abortion.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g371er9xvo

22.01.2025

Jersey – Fifth in survey back gender selection abortion

March 6, 2024
Freddie Miller, Jonathan Morris

Just over a fifth of people who took part in a Government of Jersey survey think abortions should be permitted on the island for gender selection purposes.

The government is updating the island's 1997 terminations law and from its consultation on changes 597 responses were analysed.

Of those who responded 82% were women, 67% were aged 25 to 54 and 47% said they had personal experience of termination.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce7xng2gyz9o

06.03.2024