UK Abortion Law Faces Renewed Scrutiny in House of Lords

Abortion law in England and Wales is once again under parliamentary review as the House of Lords considers proposed amendments to legislation previously passed by the House of Commons. The changes arrive after MPs voted last year to decriminalize abortion in certain circumstances, a move hailed as a significant advancement for reproductive rights.

What Happened in the House of Commons?

In June 2024, Members of Parliament (MPs) voted to decriminalize abortion with an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. The amendment, put forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed with 379 votes in favor and 137 against. UK Parliament

Under the proposed legislation, women who terminate their pregnancies outside the existing legal framework will not be subject to criminal prosecution. However, the legal framework itself – including the requirement for two doctors’ signatures and time limits on terminations – remains unchanged. Doctors performing abortions outside the law still face potential prosecution.

Arrests and Police Discretion

Despite the decriminalization efforts, arrests related to abortion continue to occur. Harriet Wistrich, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Justice, has highlighted that police retain discretion in deciding whether to make an arrest, and can opt for a voluntary interview instead of immediate detention.

House of Lords Amendments: What’s Being Proposed?

Nine amendments have been laid before the House of Lords, encompassing a range of perspectives on abortion access. These include proposals with both pro-choice and anti-abortion stances.

Key amendments include:

• The “Strikethrough” Amendment: Proposed by Conservative peer Rosa Monckton, this amendment seeks to remove the decriminalization clause entirely.
• Telemedicine Access: Conservative peer Philippa Stroud is proposing an end to telemedicine for abortion care, requiring all consultations to be conducted in person. A similar amendment was previously unsuccessful in the House of Commons.
• Pardon Amendment: Labour peer Glenys Thornton has put forward an amendment to pardon women with prior convictions or cautions for abortion offenses and remove their details from police records.
• Cease and Desist Amendment: Liberal Democrat peer Liz Barker’s amendment aims to halt ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to abortion, even for alleged offenses committed before the law changes.

Timeline for the Crime and Policing Bill

The Crime and Policing Bill is expected to complete its passage through Parliament in the coming weeks. If the decriminalization of abortion is retained, the law will take effect upon receiving Royal Assent.

Leadership of Parliament

As of March 15, 2026, key parliamentary figures include:

• Speaker of the House of Commons: Sir Lindsay Hoyle
• Prime Minister: Sir Keir Starmer (Labour)
• Leader of the Opposition: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative)

House of Commons of the United Kingdom