Government Rejects MPs’ Call for Complete Decriminalisation of Abortion

Justice minster tells House of Commons no plans to change law

A person looks at an Abortion Pill (RU-486) for unintended pregnancy from Mifepristone displayed on a smartphone, in Arlington, Va., on May 8, 2020. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The government has rejected Labour MPs’ calls for the complete decriminalisation of abortion, saying there are no plans for law change.

In England, Scotland, and Wales, abortions are generally only legal before 24 weeks of pregnancy and can only be carried out in hospitals or clinics after 10 weeks.