MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales

On 17 June 2025, UK Parliament passed a historic amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, with MPs voting 379 to 137 in favour of removing criminal liability for women who end their pregnancies. This marks the most significant change in abortion law in England and Wales in nearly six decades.

The amendment, New Clause 1 (NC1), was led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and backed by 180 cross-party members. It repeals parts of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act and the 1929 Infant Life (Preservation) Act, laws that have historically criminalised women for inducing miscarriage, even in cases of trauma, coercion, or mental health crisis.

In this blog, Dr Richard Dune explores the implications of the 2025 abortion law reform in England and Wales, highlighting what has changed, what remains the same, and what healthcare professionals need to know to stay compliant.

Why this matters now

Over the years, mounting concern has grown among healthcare professionals, legal experts, and advocacy groups regarding the outdated legal framework. Between 2020 and 2025, over 100 women in England and Wales were investigated for abortion-related offences. Many cases involved complex circumstances such as suspected pregnancy loss, mental distress, or confusion over gestational timelines. High-profile cases, including that of Carla Foster, prompted calls for reform that places compassion at the centre of care.

This amendment seeks to modernise the legal approach, removing women from the scope of criminal justice while preserving existing clinical governance for abortion services.

Timeline - Key milestones in UK abortion law

• 1861 - Offences Against the Person Act criminalised abortion in all circumstances. Women and those assisting faced life imprisonment

• 1929 - Infant Life (Preservation) Act imposed further penalties for abortions after foetal viability (28 weeks)

• 1967 - Abortion Act legalised abortion under specific conditions in England, Wales, and Scotland with the consent of two doctors

• 1990 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act reduced the general time limit from 28 to 24 weeks

• 2020 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine abortion (pills-by-post) was introduced and legalised up to 10 weeks

• 2025 - Women are decriminalised for ending their pregnancies at any stage. The clinical framework remains unchanged.

What has changed and what hasn’t

While this legal update removes the risk of criminal prosecution for women, it does not change the clinical rules surrounding abortion access. The following elements of the current framework remain in force:

• The 24-week limit for most legal abortions

• Requirement for authorisation by two registered medical practitioners

• Telemedicine access to abortion medication (up to 10 weeks) remains legal

• Prosecution for those assisting outside the legal framework still applies (e.g. coercive partners, unlicensed providers).

This is a narrow and precise legal reform. It does not introduce new abortion rights or expand access; it solely removes the threat of criminal investigation and punishment for women.

Key numbers behind the reform

• 252,122 abortions were recorded in England and Wales in 2022 – the highest since records began

• 100+ women investigated for abortion-related offences since 2020

• 6 prosecutions – with one resulting in imprisonment

• Miscarriages and lawful terminations were sometimes misclassified, leading to inappropriate investigations

• Judges and clinicians raised alarm over public interest being poorly served by these prosecutions.

High-profile cases

• Carla Foster (2023) - Imprisoned for using abortion pills between 32 and 34 weeks. The sentence was later suspended amid national outcry

• Bethany Cox (2024) - Investigated for three years before charges were dropped

• Nicola Packer (2025) - Arrested after using pills at 26 weeks, believing she was six weeks pregnant. She was cleared after a five-year investigation.

“To waste five years of my life... I would not wish this on anyone.” 

- Nicola Packer

What does this mean for healthcare professionals?

While the legal burden on women is lifted, healthcare professionals remain fully accountable under the existing statutory and regulatory frameworks. This includes:

• Compliance with the Abortion Act 1967 - Two doctors must authorise all procedures

• Professional standards enforcement - GMC, NMC, and HCPC codes continue to apply

• Criminal liability remains for:

• Performing abortions outside legal time limits

• Falsifying medical records or bypassing safeguards

• Coercive involvement or misuse of telemedicine pathways.

• Safeguarding - Professionals must continue to identify and respond to coercion, abuse, and capacity issues.

Healthcare providers must balance the patient-centred delivery of care with compliance with statutory and professional responsibilities. The reform offers no new clinical powers; it simply redefines the legal position of the woman receiving care.

A mixed debate in parliament and the public

Supporters say:

“This legislation takes vulnerable women out of the criminal justice system. What public interest is served by prosecuting them?”

  - Tonia Antoniazzi MP

“A victory for women and their essential reproductive rights.”

- Prof Ranee Thakar, RCOG

“A hard-won victory and the most significant change to abortion law since 1967.”

- Heidi Stewart, BPAS

“Strong message at a time of global rollbacks on reproductive rights.”

- Louise McCudden, MSI

Backed by over 50 organisations, including:

• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)

• Royal College of Midwives

• British Medical Association (BMA)

• Women’s Aid

• The Fawcett Society

• Humanists UK.

Opposition raised concerns:

• Stella Creasy MP - Proposed enshrining abortion as a human right – not voted on

• Dr Caroline Johnson MP - Attempted to restrict telemedicine – amendment rejected (379–117)

• Sir Edward Leigh MP - Raised concerns about sex-selective abortions

• SPUC - Warned the reform could allow abortions “even moments before birth”.

What happens next?

The amendment is part of the broader Crime and Policing Bill. It must now proceed through the House of Lords. If passed without changes and receives Royal Assent:

• Women will no longer face criminal investigation or prosecution for ending their pregnancies

• The legal, professional, and safeguarding frameworks for abortion care will remain intact.

Looking ahead – From criminalisation to compassionate care

This reform is not about expanding access or removing clinical safeguards. It’s about shifting from a punitive approach to one grounded in public health, clinical ethics, and support. It reflects a deeper cultural shift towards recognising the complexity of reproductive healthcare and respecting the autonomy of women, especially those in vulnerable circumstances.

It also reaffirms the ongoing responsibility of healthcare professionals to operate within the law, uphold safeguarding protocols, and maintain compliance with their regulatory bodies.

As legal reforms such as this emerge, the challenge for regulated services is to ensure that governance, documentation, and care delivery remain compliant and defensible.

Staying compliant in a changing legal landscape

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