UK Ends Legal Threats Over Late-Term Abortions
In a significant and long-awaited reform, the UK Parliament has voted to end the criminal prosecution of women who undergo abortions outside the legal limit of 24 weeks. The move is being hailed as a milestone for women’s rights and reproductive justice in England and Wales.
A Landmark Vote in Westminster
On June 17, 2025, Members of Parliament voted 379 to 137 in favor of an amendment that effectively decriminalizes self-managed abortions after 24 weeks. The measure was added to the Criminal Justice Bill, and although abortion remains regulated, women can no longer be prosecuted under 19th-century criminal law for ending a pregnancy.
This vote follows mounting public pressure and legal concern about the prosecution of women in vulnerable situations, particularly after high-profile cases of women being charged for miscarriages or late-term terminations.
The Legal Background
Abortion in England and Wales is still governed by the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which predates modern medical practice and criminalizes abortion with a potential life sentence. The 1967 Abortion Act introduced exemptions, allowing terminations up to 24 weeks under medical supervision and under certain conditions.
Until now, women who accessed abortion medication without proper medical authorization — especially those ordering pills online — risked criminal charges. Between 2014 and 2023, nearly 100 women were investigated, and several were prosecuted, raising widespread concern among human rights groups and healthcare professionals.
What the Reform Means
The approved amendment removes criminal liability from women who end their pregnancies outside the current legal framework. However, it does not change the existing clinical guidelines or the 24-week legal limit. Medical professionals are still bound by law to follow established procedures and may face prosecution if they breach these regulations.
This reform specifically protects women and pregnant individuals from being treated as criminals for decisions related to their own reproductive health.
Reaction from Lawmakers and Campaigners
The amendment was introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who called it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to protect women from cruel and outdated prosecutions.
“We are not changing the time limits. We are simply saying that no woman should be sent to prison for having an abortion,” Antoniazzi said during the debate.
Reproductive rights organizations, including BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices, welcomed the decision as a step toward aligning abortion law with modern medical standards and international human rights norms.
On the other hand, anti-abortion groups such as Right to Life UK and several Conservative MPs expressed strong opposition, arguing that the measure could undermine protections for unborn children and potentially lead to unregulated late-term abortions.
High-Profile Cases That Shaped Public Opinion
Recent cases have intensified the debate. One of the most prominent involved Nicola Packer, who was prosecuted in 2023 for using abortion pills late in pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdown. Though she was ultimately acquitted, her ordeal highlighted how the law disproportionately impacts women facing crisis pregnancies.
Several other cases involved women who experienced stillbirths or miscarriages but were subjected to criminal investigation, underscoring how the law has been misapplied in deeply personal and tragic circumstances.
What’s Next?
The amendment must now pass through the House of Lords for final approval before becoming law later this year. If approved, the change will apply to England and Wales. It does not impact Scotland or Northern Ireland, which have separate abortion laws.
While this is a major step forward, advocates are calling for further reforms, including full decriminalization of abortion and improved access to care across the UK.
A Step Toward Modernizing Reproductive Rights
The vote to end the prosecution of women for abortion reflects a growing recognition that reproductive health should be a matter of healthcare, not criminal law. By removing the threat of prison for women in distress, Parliament has signaled a shift toward a more compassionate and medically grounded approach to reproductive rights.
This reform modernizes one of the most outdated elements of UK law and aligns Britain more closely with other progressive European countries, including France, where abortion has recently been enshrined in the constitution.
