The Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales at any stage of pregnancy, right up to birth.

The amendment passed in the House of Commons by 379 votes to 137 and will now proceed to the House of Lords for final approval. 

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who introduced the amendment as part of the Criminal Justice Bill, said it would ensure women will not face investigation, arrest, prosecution or imprisonment in relation to any pregnancies.

Abortion is currently illegal in England and Wales but permitted up to the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy. Terminations can be carried out after this time limit under certain circumstances, including if the woman’s life is in danger.

The law will still penalise anyone who assists a woman, including medical professionals, in getting an abortion outside the current legal framework.

“This is not healthcare, this is abandonment”

According to the Both Lives pro-life and pro-women movement of the UK Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), “this not a victory for women, it is a tragic failure”, because “the purpose of abortion law is to protect and support both lives in every pregnancy from toxic substances or dangerous operations”.

“Abortion should remain within criminal law because it involves the deliberate ending of a human life. Removing both lives in pregnancy from criminal law puts both lives at risk”, said Dawn McAvoy, Both Lives UK leader.

For McAvoy, “in effect, parliament have voted to facilitate dangerous backstreet abortions where dangerous, even late-term abortion is legitimised, and women are left more vulnerable than ever”.

“This is not healthcare, this is abandonment”, he concluded.

“It disregards the legal status of the baby”

The UK director of the EAUK, Peter Lynas, said on X that “it is very sad to see Westminster decriminalise abortion, making the UK one of the least safe places in the world for the unborn child”.

“This vote paves the way for sex selective abortion up till birth. The Justice Secretary is right to call it extreme. Few realise that we already offer some of the least protections to the unborn, and are now going to remove those”, he added.

This vote paves the way for sex selective abortion up till birth. The Justice Secretary is right to call it extreme. Few realise that we already offer some of the least protections to the unborn - and are now going to remove those. pic.twitter.com/doGpOHqRFV

— Ｐｅｔｅｒ Ｌｙｎａｓ (@peterlynas) June 17, 2025

Gavin Calver, CEO of the EAUK, said he was “so disappointed that MPs have approved decriminalisation of abortion up to birth”.

So disappointed that MPs have approved decriminalisation of abortion up to birth by 379 votes to 137. Praying for our nation now ? https://t.co/GCnLtpjhBH

— Gavin Calver (@GavCalver) June 17, 2025

“Pregnancy is about two lives, the mother and the baby, and our system has to work for both. This change disregards the legal status of the baby, at any point during pregnancy, and leaves woman far more vulnerable to coercion and dangerous abortions”, stressed EAUK director of advocacy, Danny Webster.

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