MPs decriminalise abortion

MPs have voted 379–137 to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, marking the most significant change to abortion laws since the 1967 Abortion Act.

The amendment to the government’s Crime and Policing Bill will end arrests, prosecutions and investigations against people who end their pregnancies outside the legal framework, for instance by obtaining pills online.

Investigations and prosecutions related to abortion had risen by 200% in the past five years, with six women appearing in court in England in the past three years.

In June 2023, Carla Foster was sentenced to 28 months in prison for terminating her pregnancy between 32 and 34 weeks. Her sentence was later reduced and suspended.

The amendment does not change how abortion provision is regulated, and healthcare providers operating outside the legal framework can still be prosecuted.

Laws were recently changed to allow access to pills to be taken at home to terminate a pregnancy in the first 10 weeks.

The union-backed Abortion Rights campaign said the amendment was a historic step. Kerry Abel, Abortion Rights chair, said: “We’re relieved that there will be no more Carla Fosters in the courts’ line of fire.

“But let’s be clear — there is still some way to go to fully decriminalise abortion, and that is what Abortion Rights is committed to.”

Transport union Aslef echoed the point, saying “full decriminalisation” is needed.