GP Leaders Welcome ‘Long Overdue’ Change in Abortion Law Following Parliamentary Vote

Leading UK medical bodies have welcomed a landmark parliamentary vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, describing it as a “long overdue” reform to protect women’s reproductive rights.

On Tuesday 17 June 2025, MPs voted in favour of an amendment to the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, removing the threat of criminal prosecution for women who terminate pregnancies outside of the legal framework. The amendment, brought forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed with 379 votes in favour and 137 against.

The change means women will no longer face life imprisonment for ending a pregnancy outside existing legal criteria—though the current framework requiring approval from two doctors and a 24-week time limit remains unchanged. Medical professionals performing abortions outside these guidelines still risk prosecution.

Medical Bodies Applaud the Reform

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association (BMA) both praised the move as a necessary step to bring abortion law in line with modern medical and ethical standards.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the RCGP, said the change was “really positive” and “a vital piece of protection for the reproductive and health rights of women.”

“Many GPs will have been highly concerned to see high-profile cases in recent years where women were investigated or prosecuted following pregnancy losses or terminations. These women needed compassion and support—not criminalisation,” she said.

Dr Ed Frew, deputy chair of the BMA’s medical ethics committee, echoed the sentiment.

“This is a significant and long overdue step in reforming antiquated abortion law. Abortion should be treated as a healthcare matter—not a criminal one,” he stated.“Women in vulnerable situations deserve timely, high-quality care—not police questioning and the threat of life in prison.”

The BMA also reaffirmed its commitment to broader reforms, including the removal of criminal sanctions for clinicians involved in abortion care and eliminating the requirement for specified criteria during first-trimester abortions.

Context and Calls for Broader Reform

The vote follows rising concern over recent cases where women in England and Wales were investigated or prosecuted after seeking or experiencing abortions outside the legal framework. Campaigners and health professionals have described the laws as outdated and harmful.

In 2024, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued guidance advising doctors not to report suspected illegal abortions to the police. NHS England has also pledged to improve access to abortion services amid increasing demand and barriers to contraception.

Research published earlier this year pointed to a growing reliance on natural family planning methods, such as period-tracking apps, due to difficulties in accessing contraception—raising further concern about unintended pregnancies and women seeking care outside regulated channels.

While the legal structure for abortion services remains largely unchanged, campaigners and clinicians see this amendment as a critical step towards treating abortion as a health issue rather than a criminal offence.