Abortion Law: Lords to Vote on Key Amendments to Decriminalisation

The future of abortion access in England and Wales is once again under scrutiny as the House of Lords prepares to debate proposed amendments to legislation that last year moved to decriminalise terminations carried out outside the legal framework. While the initial vote in the House of Commons was widely celebrated as a significant step forward for reproductive rights, the Lords now have the opportunity to reshape the law, potentially introducing new restrictions or safeguarding existing access.

What Happened in the Commons Last June?

In June 2025, Members of Parliament voted to remove criminal sanctions for women seeking abortions outside the established legal parameters. This change, brought forward as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed with a substantial majority of 379 to 137. As reported by The Guardian, the amendment doesn’t alter the existing legal framework for abortion – which includes requirements for two doctors’ signatures and gestational limits – but it does signify women will no longer face prosecution for ending a pregnancy outside of these guidelines. Crucially, doctors performing illegal abortions remain subject to criminal penalties.

Why Decriminalisation Matters: The Current Situation

Currently, abortion remains a criminal offence under the Abortion Act 1967, although prosecution is rare. However, the existing law has led to instances where women have faced police investigation and potential legal repercussions, even when seeking care within what they believed to be legal boundaries. Harriet Wistrich, solicitor and chief executive of the Centre for Women’s Justice, has highlighted that police retain discretion in deciding whether to arrest someone, and could opt for a voluntary interview instead. The decriminalisation amendment aims to address this uncertainty and reduce the risk of women being criminalised for deeply personal healthcare decisions.

Amendments Under Consideration in the House of Lords

The House of Lords is now considering nine amendments to the legislation, representing a range of perspectives on abortion access. These proposals span both pro-choice and anti-abortion viewpoints, with potentially significant consequences for women’s reproductive healthcare.

One of the most contentious amendments, proposed by Conservative peer Rosa Monckton, is a “strikethrough” amendment that would entirely remove the decriminalisation clause from the bill, effectively reinstating criminal penalties for women seeking abortions outside the legal framework. This move would reverse the progress made in the House of Commons and could lead to a chilling effect on women seeking care.

Telemedicine Access: A Point of Contention

Another key area of debate centres on access to telemedicine for early medical abortions. During the pandemic, regulations were temporarily relaxed to allow remote consultations for pregnancies up to nine weeks and six days, a measure that was later made permanent in 2022. Conservative peer Philippa Stroud is proposing an amendment to end telemedicine access and require all consultations to be conducted in person. This proposal echoes a similar, unsuccessful attempt in the House of Commons earlier this year. Advocates for telemedicine argue it improves access, particularly for women in rural areas or with mobility issues.

Pardon and Cease and Desist Amendments

Two further amendments seek to address past injustices. Labour peer Glenys Thornton has proposed a “pardon” amendment that would pardon women with prior convictions or cautions for abortion offences and remove their details from police records. This acknowledges the harm caused by past criminalisation and aims to provide closure for those affected. Liberal Democrat peer Liz Barker has put forward a “cease and desist” amendment that would halt any ongoing investigations or prosecutions against women under the existing abortion law, ensuring that the new legislation applies retroactively.

Composition of the House of Lords and Potential Outcomes

Understanding the composition of the House of Lords is crucial to assessing the potential outcomes of these debates. According to Wikipedia’s latest update (March 8, 2026), the Lords currently comprise 842 members, including 278 Conservatives, 227 Labour, 76 Liberal Democrats, and a significant number of crossbenchers (177) and others. The presence of a large number of unelected peers, including bishops (23 Lords Spiritual), adds complexity to the legislative process. The Lords Spiritual, as the Wikipedia article details, include the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and 21 other senior bishops, with female bishops now taking precedence for new appointments until May 2030.

Given this composition, the outcome of the votes on these amendments is uncertain. While the House of Commons overwhelmingly supported decriminalisation, the House of Lords may present a more challenging environment. The influence of Conservative and crossbench peers, as well as the Lords Spiritual, could sway the vote in either direction.

What Happens Next?

The Crime and Policing Bill is expected to complete its passage through Parliament in the coming weeks. If the House of Lords votes to retain the decriminalisation clause, the bill will proceed to receive Royal Assent and become law. However, even if decriminalisation is maintained, the specific details of access to abortion services – particularly regarding telemedicine – remain subject to ongoing debate and potential future changes. Parliamentary scrutiny of abortion law is likely to continue, reflecting the deeply held and often conflicting views on this sensitive issue. Further reviews of the impact of decriminalisation, and ongoing monitoring of access to services, will be essential to ensure that women’s reproductive healthcare needs are met.

For the latest official updates on UK legislation, you can find your MP and contact them directly through the UK Parliament website.