PRESS RELEASEA Step Toward Abortion Decriminalisation in England and Wales

London, 17 June 2025 — In a landmark decision, Parliament has voted 379 to 137 in favour of decriminalising abortion for women in England and Wales. This historic step removes the threat of prosecution for women who end their own pregnancies — even outside clinical settings — and marks a major advance for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy.

“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.”
— Kerry Abel, Chair of Abortion Rights

This vote comes amid growing concern over a surge in prosecutions: the number of women investigated or charged in relation to self-managed abortions has risen by 200% in recent years.

WHAT THIS CHANGE MEANS:

Ends criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies, including via abortion pills obtained online.
Protects women from prosecution under Victorian-era laws like the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Prevents police investigations after miscarriages or stillbirths suspected to be abortions.

WHAT THIS CHANGE DOES NOT DO:

It does not change the 24-week time limit (with exceptions for risk to life, etc.).
It does not protect healthcare providers — they can still face charges if they act outside the 1967 Abortion Act.
It does not make abortion a legal right — it remains regulated, not enshrined in law.

NEXT STEPS:

This is a vital step forward, but not the end. Abortion access still hinges on regulation, time limits, and medical gatekeeping. Continued reform is essential to ensure that both patients and providers are fully protected — and that abortion is recognised as a fundamental human right.

Notes to Editors:

Abortion Rights is the only grassroots pro-choice campaign in Britain, working for safe, free, legal and accessible abortion.
The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 is a 19th-century law that criminalised abortion in almost all circumstances. Until now, women who self-managed abortions in England and Wales could face life imprisonment under this law.
The Carla Foster case drew national attention in 2023 after a mother was prosecuted and imprisoned for ending her own pregnancy using abortion pills obtained outside legal parameters. Her case highlighted the urgent need for reform.
Investigations and prosecutions related to abortion have risen by 200% in the past five years, with many involving vulnerable women seeking to end pregnancies outside formal healthcare systems.
Abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland in 2019, following legislation passed by Westminster. However, access remains patchy, with ongoing delays and limited service provision in some areas due to political and health system barriers.
The 1967 Abortion Act continues to govern how legal abortions are provided by healthcare professionals in England and Wales. It includes conditions such as the 24-week time limit and the requirement for approval by two doctors.