Misleading headlines claim UK legalised abortion until birth

Misleading headlines claim UK legalised abortion until birth

By Leticia Batista Cabanas
27/03/2026

A network of online European outlets and social media posts are claiming that the United Kingdom will now allow abortion up until the moment of birth, based on a confusion of the terms “decriminalisation” and “legalisation”.

On the 18th of March, the British Parliament’s upper house, known as the House of Lords, voted to end the criminalisation of women who terminate their pregnancies up until the moment of birth.

Shortly after the vote, news of Britain “allowing abortion until birth” went viral: misleading interpretations were quickly picked up by fringe media outlets across Spain, Italy, France and Portugal.

Continued: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/03/27/misleading-headlines-claim-uk-legalised-abortion-until-birth

27.03.2026

Commentary

1861 Offences against the Person Act

decriminalisation of abortion

Peers vote to back clause pardoning women convicted over illegal abortions

House of Lords decision welcomed as ‘landmark moment’ after attempt to strike out amendment is defeated

Hannah Al-Othman
Thu 19 Mar 2026

Women who have been convicted, and in some cases jailed, over illegal abortions are set to be pardoned after a historic vote in the House of Lords.

Last June, the House of Commons voted to end the criminalisation of women who terminate their pregnancies outside of the legal framework, while keeping the existing framework in place. Doctors and others who act outside of the law could still face the threat of prosecution.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/19/peers-vote-to-back-clause-pardoning-women-convicted-over-abortions

19.03.2026

News

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Heidi Stewart

House of Lords

Louise McCudden

MSI Reproductive Choices

Nikki Packer

pardoning womn for illegal abortion

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/

UK – House of Lords votes for at-home abortion provision

Humanists UK
Thursday 17 Mar 2022

During last night’s late night sitting in the House of Lords, running beyond 2am, peers voted to allow women to continue to access abortion services at home. Prior to Covid, women were required to attend a clinic in person to access abortion pills. But since then, they have been able to receive the pills by post. The UK Government recently announced it intended to withdraw this service in England from August, but the Lords have now voted in favour of keeping it. Humanists UK, which has repeatedly called on the Government to make these measures permanent, said it was delighted by the news. It has urged the Commons to not overturn the Lords’ vote.

The vote happened during the Report Stage of the Government’s Health and Care Bill. The abortion amendment, tabled by Conservative Peer Baroness Sugg, was passed by 75 votes to 35. Humanists UK briefed peers in support of the amendment. Three members of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) spoke for it, with many more voting in favour.

Continued: https://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-former/press-release/2022/03/17/house-of-lords-votes-for-at-home-abortion-provision/