UK – Decriminalising abortion: how could the House of Lords amend the legislation?

After MPs voted last year to change the law in England and Wales, members of the Lords will now put forward proposed amendments

Hannah Al-Othman
Sun 15 Mar 2026

MPs voted last year to end the criminalisation of women who terminate pregnancies outside the legal framework. It was hailed as the biggest step forward for reproductive rights in England and Wales in six decades.

On Wednesday evening, abortion law will again come under the parliamentary spotlight when members of the House of Lords put forward their proposed amendments to the legislation.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/decriminalising-abortion-england-wales-lords-amendments

15.03.2026

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abortion law reform

Centre for Women’s Justice

Crime and Policing bill

decriminalisation of abortion

UK – Vulnerable women in England still being arrested over suspected illegal abortions

Nottinghamshire and Met police made arrests in past year, despite MPs voting to decriminalise in England and Wales

Hannah Al-Othman, The Guardian
Sun 15 Mar 2026

Vulnerable women in England are still being arrested and facing police investigations over suspected illegal pregnancy terminations, despite parliament backing changes to the law to decriminalise abortion.

Responding to a freedom of information request, Nottinghamshire police and the Metropolitan police confirmed they had arrested women suspected of illegal terminations between June last year and this January.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/women-arrested-suspected-illegal-abortion-england-police

15.03.2026

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Harriet Wistrich

Jonathan Lord

Louise McCudden

MSI Reproductive Choices

National Police Chiefs’ Council

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UK – Shocking new rules mean police can now access your period app — 3 ways to protect yourself

What the new guidelines mean – and how to safeguard your data

By Chloe Gray
21 May 2025

Experts are saying they will 'aggressively challenge' new police guidance suggesting women’s homes should be searched for abortion drugs and phones checked for menstrual cycle tracking apps after unexpected pregnancy loss.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has said that investigators looking into the causes of stillbirth and miscarriage should look at digital devices to 'establish a woman’s knowledge and intention in relation to the pregnancy.'

Continued: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/female-health/a64813827/police-menstrual-tracking-apps-miscarriage-abortion/

Calls for abortion to be decriminalised amid row over jailing of UK woman

Leading expert warns of ‘sustained attacks’ on reproductive rights after sentence imposed on Monday

Alexandra Topping and Tobi Thomas
Tue 13 Jun 2023

Leading women’s health experts have warned of an attack on women’s reproductive rights and the potential for more prosecutions, following the jailing of a woman for terminating her pregnancy after the legal time limit.

The president of the UK’s leading body for sexual health professionals said that women should be “more worried than they are” following the sentencing, adding that it could lead to sustained attacks on established rights, and efforts to curtail reforms.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/13/calls-for-abortion-to-be-decriminalised-amid-row-over-jailing-of-uk-woman

As a woman is jailed, UK urged to reform ‘outdated’ abortion laws

Public anger rises after a judge decided to prosecute a woman who secured pills for a late-term abortion.

13 Jun 2023

Women’s rights groups, politicians and medics are calling on the British government to reform abortion laws after a woman was jailed for taking pills to end her pregnancy after the 24-week limit.

The 44-year-old mother of three was sent the medicine by post during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, a scheme that was introduced during the pandemic because many in-person services were closed due to social distancing measures.

Continued: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/13/as-a-woman-is-jailed-uk-urged-to-reform-outdated-abortion-laws

UK – Rishi Sunak accused of taking ‘anti-abortion stance’ by service providers

Exclusive: Key members of the new cabinet have consistently voted against abortion rights in England

Alexandra Topping
Fri 4 Nov 2022

All four holders of the “Great Offices of State” have failed to support a woman’s right to access safe abortions in England over the past seven years, the Guardian can reveal.

Abortion providers have warned that access to safe abortions is at risk and accused the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, of taking a “anti-abortion stance”, after the minister for women, Maria Caulfield, was given responsibility for abortion services as part of her second role as a health minister.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/04/rishi-sunak-accused-of-taking-anti-abortion-stance-by-service-providers

UK – Tory MP who backed cutting abortion time limit named minister for women

Labour and women’s rights groups criticise ‘deeply troubling’ appointment of Maria Caulfield

Jessica Murray
Sun 30 Oct 2022

Maria Caulfield, a Tory MP who supported cutting the abortion time limit and voted against buffer zones outside clinics, has been named as minister for women, prompting criticism from charities and women’s rights groups.

Caulfield, the MP for Lewes, was previously an officer of the all-party parliamentary “pro-life” group and voted against legalising abortion in Northern Ireland.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/30/tory-mp-maria-caulfield-minister-for-women-abortion-rights