Archive · 18 Jun 2025
UK Lawmakers Vote to End Abortion Prosecutions
The UK parliament voted to stop women from being arrested and charged for ending their own pregnancies.
Currently, women can face criminal charges for having an abortion after 24 weeks or without medical approval.
This new vote means women will no longer be prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy, but it does not change the laws about when and how abortions can be performed.
This change aims to stop police from investigating women who have abortions.
UK MPs voted to stop the prosecution of women who end their own pregnancies.
The amendment, put forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed with a majority of 242 votes.
Current law allows criminal charges for women ending pregnancies after 24 weeks or without medical approval.
The vote aims to prevent police investigations and criminal charges against women.
The amendment will not change existing abortion service regulations or time limits.
- Who
- UK MPs
- What
- UK MPs voted to decriminalize abortion.
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- England and Wales
- Why
- To stop criminal prosecution of women who terminate their own pregnancies.
Supporters
Critics
Effect
Supporters
The current law is outdated and wrong.
Critics
The proposed amendment is the greatest threat to unborn babies in decades.
- Maximum Sentence (Current Law)
- Life imprisonment
- Legal Abortion Limit
- 24 weeks
- Act
- Offences Against the Person Act
- Year of Original Act
- 1861
