Parliament Votes to Decriminalise Abortion for Women at Any Stage of Pregnancy

Members of Parliament have voted by a majority of 242 to remove criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies at any stage of gestation and for any reason. The change effectively decriminalises abortion in these circumstances, meaning women will no longer be subject to investigation, arrest, or prosecution for doing so.

Under current law in England and Wales, abortion is a criminal offence under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, but it is legal if performed by an authorised provider up to 24 weeks, and under limited conditions thereafter. Women can also take prescribed abortion medication at home if they are under 10 weeks pregnant.

The new amendment will modify the 1861 Act so that it no longer applies to women who end their own pregnancies. However, the Abortion Act 1967—which permits abortions beyond 24 weeks in cases where two doctors agree there is a risk to the woman's health or severe foetal abnormalities—remains unchanged.

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who introduced the amendment, said: "Let's ensure that not a single desperate woman ever again is subject to traumatic criminal investigation at the worst moment in their lives."

Opponents of the measure argued it could lead to an increase in the number of abortions, including unsafe or unregulated terminations, and raise concerns about sex-selective abortions. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the amendment "extreme" and said it could have serious physical and mental health consequences for women. In a letter to constituents, she stated that extending abortion access beyond current exemptions is "unnecessary and dangerous."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, when asked how he would have voted had he not been attending the G7 summit in Canada, reaffirmed his support for women's access to safe and legal abortion, calling it his "long-standing position."

The vote was a free vote, allowing MPs from all parties to vote according to their personal beliefs.

The amendment specifically removes criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies but does not alter laws governing abortion services provided in medical settings. This means current time limits and medical requirements for providers remain unchanged.

In the last three years, six women have been prosecuted for ending or attempting to end their pregnancies outside the legal framework. One such case was that of Nicola Packer, who was charged after taking prescribed abortion pills at around 26 weeks of pregnancy. She claimed she was unaware she had passed the 10-week limit for taking the medication at home and was later acquitted.

The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham