UK – Abortion could be decriminalised in England and Wales

The 164-year-old law banning abortion was amended in 1967 and again in 1991

By Neil Shaw, Assistant Editor
11 MAR 2025

Proposals to remove criminal sanctions for abortion in England and Wales are expected to be revived by MPs trying to amend the Crime and Policing Bill. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) said women continue to be at risk of prosecution as the Commons heard 100 have been investigated by police in the last five years.

The 164-year-old law banning abortion was amended in 1967, legalising abortion with an authorised provider up to 28 weeks, which was later lowered to 24 weeks in 1991. There are very limited circumstances that allow an abortion after 24 weeks, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability.

Continued: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/abortion-could-decriminalised-england-wales-10011474

11.03.2025

News

1967 Abortion Act

Offence Against the Person Act

prosecuting women for abortion

UK – As protest ban starts, I spent day at abortion clinic

Oct 30, 2024
Emma Barnett, BBC Radio 4

When I arrive at an abortion clinic in south London, four protesters - three women and one man - are gathered on the opposite side of the road alongside a picture of the Virgin Mary, which is draped in rosary beads. They are silently mouthing prayers, and ask not to be interrupted.

Protesters outside abortion clinics, standing with signs - sometimes featuring graphic images of foetuses - have become a norm. This can be worrying and upsetting for some of the women going in for their procedure, who are sometimes approached by these individuals. The same is true for the healthcare staff working at the clinics.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v3dlld58qo

30.10.2024

Opinion

1967 Abortion Act

Ailish McEntee

anti-choice harassment

anti-choice intimidation

anti-choice protesters

buffer zones

Emma Barnett

MSI Reproductive Choices

UK – Buffer zones set to come in around abortion clinics

Sept 18, 2024
Kate Whannel, BBC

Buffer zones will come into force around abortion clinics in England and Wales from 31 October.

It will make it illegal to hand out anti-abortion leaflets within the buffer zone or obstruct anyone using or working at an abortion clinic.

The protection zones, which will prohibit protest, will extend to a 150-metre radius around abortion services and those convicted of breaking the new law will face an unlimited fine.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62m4g2drgdo

Number of abortions in England and Wales hits record levels

Official figures show 251,377 abortions were carried out in 2022, a 17% increase on previous year

Caroline Davies and agency
Fri 24 May 2024

The number of abortions in England and Wales has reached record levels, with financial pressures believed to be a factor in why women are choosing not to have a baby.

There were 251,377 abortions for women resident in the two nations in 2022, official figures from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) show, which is the highest since the Abortion Act was introduced almost 60 years ago and a rise of 17% on the 2021 figure.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/24/number-abortions-england-wales-record-levels

24.05.2024

News

1967 Abortion Act

abortion pills at home

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Department of Health and Social Care

Heidi Stewart

MSI Reproductive Choices

numbers of abortions

Right To Life UK

Sarah Salkeld

telemedicine abortion

Europe

United Kingdom

Wales

Women from Wales have to travel to England for abortions

May 4, 2024
Kate Morgan, Communities correspondent

A woman who had to travel from Wales to England for an abortion says it made her experience more traumatic. Katie, 35 and from Cardiff, was thrilled to be pregnant with her first child, but a routine scan found a significant abnormality meaning her baby could not survive.

An abortion locally would have involved giving birth in a labour ward full of mothers and newborn babies, and Katie had to travel over the border for a surgical procedure.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv29xplk851o

04.05.2024

News

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

British Society of Abortion Care Providers

Dr Caroline Scherf

Hanna Andersen

traveling for abortion

traveling to England for abortion

Viv Rose

Women’s Equality party

UK – Anti-abortion activists ramping up protests outside clinics after failure to introduce buffer zones

Exclusive: ‘They also hand out baby toys whose limbs have been removed which are covered in fake blood. They sometimes spit from their mouths at clients,’ says clinic manager

Maya Oppenheim, Women’s Correspondent

May 4, 2024

Anti-abortion activists are ramping up protests outside clinics in the wake of the government’s failure to introduce “buffer zones” outside medical centres, healthcare providers have warned.

MPs voted in favour of nationwide buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales in October 2022 but the Home Office has failed to roll them out. MSI Reproductive Choices, the UK’s leading abortion provider, called for the government to bring in the safe zones immediately. They are supposed to stop anti-abortion demonstrators standing outside or in close vicinity.

Continued; https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anti-abortion-protestors-buffer-zones-b2538099.html

MPs to get free vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales

Amendment by Labour MP Diana Johnson would end prosecutions for terminations after 24 weeks

Rowena Mason Whitehall
Fri 23 Feb 2024

MPs are expected to get a free vote on decriminalising abortion when a Labour backbencher lays an amendment that would end the prosecution of women who terminate pregnancies after the 24-week limit.

Diana Johnson is expected to lay an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act next month that would stop the possibility of women being jailed for going ahead with abortions after the time limit.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/23/mps-to-get-free-vote-on-decriminalising-abortion-in-england-and-wales

‘This Victorian-era law isn’t fit for purpose’: Is abortion finally going to be decriminalised?

People who get an abortion beyond legal time limits can face criminal prosecution in England and Wales. Labour MPs are out to change that

CHARLOTTE ELTON
2 Dec 2023

Abortion could soon be decriminalised in England and Wales, as MPs consider overhauling a “cruel” 162-year-old law.

People who get an abortion beyond legal time limits can face criminal prosecution in England and Wales.

Five women have faced this charge in English courts over the past year – up from four in total over the previous 55 years.

Continued: https://www.bigissue.com/life/health/abortion-law-decriminalised-england-wales/

UK – Women still being harassed at abortion clinics despite buffer zone law

'Safe access zones’ entered law in England and Wales in May but Home Office has delayed implementing them

Denis Campbell
Wed 18 Oct 2023

Women using abortion clinics are still being harassed despite MPs voting a year ago to create buffer zones to stop protesters intimidating them, medical and abortion groups say.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, has failed to “commence” the legislation to introduce buffer zones in England and Wales, even though parliament approved the move on 18 October last year.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/18/women-harassed-abortion-clinics-england-wales-buffer-zone-law

House of Lords backs buffer zones for abortion clinics in England and Wales

The proposal now has one last step to go through before becoming law

BY CARA ROGERS
1 FEB 2023

'Buffer zones' around abortion clinics in England and Wales are closer to becoming a reality following overwhelming support from the House of Lords in a debate, which took place on 30 January. The proposed legislation now has one last step to go before being passed – final approval from the House of Commons.

The proposed provision for buffer zones is an amendment to the Public Order Bill, which was added by Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy.

Continued: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/female-health/a42722555/house-of-lords-buffer-zones-abortion/