On 18 June 2025, the House of Commons voted 379 to 137 in favour of decriminalising abortion in England and Wales. The change forms part of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill and would remove criminal penalties under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for women who end their own pregnancies.
📜 Background
The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 currently makes it a criminal offence for a woman to procure her own abortion. The Abortion Act 1967 provides exemptions, allowing abortions up to 24 weeks with the approval of two registered medical practitioners. However, the underlying offence in the 1861 Act has remained in place.
The amendment passed this week removes criminal liability from women in cases where they self-terminate a pregnancy. It does not alter the current medical framework set out in the 1967 Act.
⚖️ What Will Change
- Women will no longer face prosecution under the 1861 Act for ending their own pregnancies.
- The 24-week time limit, requirement for two doctors, and clinical oversight remain in place.
- The change applies to England and Wales only.
🏛️ Legislative Process
The amendment is now part of the Crime and Policing Bill, which continues its passage through Parliament. The next stage will be consideration in the House of Lords.
📌 Summary
- The vote: 379 in favour, 137 against
- Jurisdictions affected: England and Wales
- Core legal change: Decriminalisation of abortion for women under the 1861 Act
- Medical regulations remain unchanged under the 1967 Abortion Act