Today, 29 April, the Crime and Policing Bill receives Royal Assent, formally removing women from the criminal law related to abortion in England and Wales.
This landmark change means women will no longer face lengthy and distressing investigations, criminal charges, or custodial sentences for ending their own pregnancy.
Our organisations have been campaigning for this change for many years and this decision reflects the voices of more than 50 medical, legal and public health organisations. It also reflects the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support the right of women to access abortion care safely, confidentially and without fear of investigation or prosecution.
The legislation also includes a historic pardon for women who have previously been convicted under outdated and unjust abortion laws. Any woman with a previous conviction for ending her own pregnancy will automatically be eligible to have this removed from her criminal record - ensuring no one continues to carry the lifelong consequences of a criminal record for something that should never have been treated as a crime.
In response Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
“This is a momentous day. Protecting the reproductive freedoms of women and girls is crucial in a society that strives for equality, fairness and tolerance.
“The College has long campaigned for this, recognising that restrictive laws do not reduce the need for abortion care. Instead, they increase inequalities in access, foster an environment of fear and stigmatisation, and put womens’ lives at risk. Today, Parliament has recognised that.
“We very much welcome support for the additional measure that seeks to pardon women previously prosecuted under this outdated law. This is about recognising past injustice and ensuring no one carries a criminal record for something that should never have been treated as a crime.
“This change reflects the will of the public, Parliament, and the doctors and healthcare professionals delivering care.”
Dr Zara Haider, CoSRH President, said:
'It is impossible to overstate just how important today is for women. After more than a decade of campaigning, we are relieved that outdated laws have finally been removed, replacing criminalisation with compassion.
'Pardoning women with past convictions also takes an important step towards putting right the harm caused by our legal system. Women will never again live in fear of a knock on the door or prosecution for accessing essential healthcare—and that is something to be celebrated.'
Heidi Stewart, Chief Executive of BPAS, said:
"When BPAS launched the campaign to decriminalise abortion in 2016, we could not have envisaged that within a decade such historic progress would be achieved. Over the past seven years, we have seen more progressive reform of abortion law than in the previous fifty. This moment reflects the tireless work of campaigners, clinicians and parliamentarians who have worked together to bring about change. We look forward to continuing to work with MPs to deliver wider reform and an abortion framework fit for the twenty-first century."
Louise McCudden, MSI Reproductive Choices’ head of UK advocacy and external relations, said:
“This is a landmark moment for women in England and Wales and a decisive shift to a more compassionate society. From today, women will no longer fear prosecution for ending their own pregnancies. Women will no longer need to fear prosecution as they navigate what can be incredibly difficult personal circumstances, with the most intimate details of their lives and medical history interrogated, sometimes in public. Women will be able to seek advice and support without the threat of prison hanging over their heads.
“Today, our thoughts are with the women who have already been caught up in these unjust laws. For many women, this reform will be life-changing, bringing an end to uncertainty and fear. For those previously convicted, pardons represent the long-overdue recognition that they should never have been criminalised in the first place. While no reform can undo what they went through, this is a meaningful step towards justice.
“This reform follows two other transformative votes in Parliament in support of abortion rights: making at-home abortion care permanently legal and creating Safe Access Zones which end clinic harassment. Together, these tell a clear story: the UK is moving, steadily and decisively, towards a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to reproductive healthcare.
“At a time when abortion rights are under threat in many places around the world, this reform stands as an example of progress, sending a powerful message of what can be achieved through persistence, evidence, and advocacy.”