Members of Parliament in England and Wales are set to have a free vote next week on amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that would decriminalize abortion. This initiative comes amid concerns about women being prosecuted under outdated Victorian laws, with two main amendments proposed by Labour MPs Tonia Antoniazzi and Stella Creasey, sparking significant debate among medical bodies and anti-abortion groups.
MPs set to vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Members of Parliament in England and Wales are set to have a free vote next week on amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that would decriminalize abortion. This initiative comes amid concerns about women being prosecuted under outdated Victorian laws, with two main amendments proposed by Labour MPs Tonia Antoniazzi and Stella Creasey, sparking significant debate among medical bodies and anti-abortion groups.
Trending- 1 1861: Offences Against the Person Act makes abortion illegal.
- 2 1967: Abortion Act allows abortions under certain circumstances.
- 3 1990: Legal limit for abortion reduced to 24 weeks.
- 4 2018: Women in England allowed to take the second abortion pill at home.
- 5 2019: Abortion decriminalized in Northern Ireland.
- 6 Last month (May 2025): Nicola Packer is cleared by a jury of charges related to abortion pills.
- 7 Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi tables an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill.
- 8 Labour MP Stella Creasey tables a rival amendment.
- 9 Next week (implied week of June 16, 2025): MPs are set to get a free vote on abortion decriminalisation amendments.
- Potential significant reform of abortion laws in England and Wales, ending the threat of investigation or imprisonment for women terminating pregnancies.
- Intense public and political debate over the scope and implications of the proposed changes, including concerns about 'abortion up to birth'.
- Aligning abortion laws in England and Wales more closely with those in Northern Ireland.
- Highlighting the need for legal clarity and protection for women's reproductive rights.
What: Members of Parliament in England and Wales will hold a free vote next week on amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill aimed at decriminalizing abortion. Two main amendments are proposed: one by Tonia Antoniazzi to decriminalize abortion at any stage by a woman, and another by Stella Creasey to decriminalize up to 24 weeks and ensure no prison sentences for late-term abortions.
When: MPs are set to vote next week (implied week of June 16, 2025). Nicola Packer's trial occurred last month (May 2025). The article was published on 2025-06-10.
Where: England, Wales, with comparisons to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Why: To update outdated Victorian-era abortion laws (Offences Against the Person Act of 1861) and prevent women from being prosecuted for illegally ending pregnancies, as recent cases have highlighted the harshness and inappropriateness of current laws.
How: Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, backed by 136 MPs. Labour MP Stella Creasey tabled a rival amendment, backed by 101 MPs. MPs will have a free vote, meaning they are not bound by party lines.