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MPs vote to decriminalise abortion for women

Published 19:36 17 Jun 2025 BST

Updated 19:36 17 Jun 2025 BST

Joseph Loftus
MPs vote to decriminalise abortion for women

Homenews

MPs were told to vote according to their personal beliefs.

MPs have voted to decriminalise abortions in England and Wales.

The vote is to change abortion legislation to stop women from being prosecuted for ending their pregnancies.

Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, led the calls, saying that there were 'desperate women' who needed 'compassion not criminalisation', reports the BBC.

This was in regards to the 1% of abortions that happen post 24 weeks.

MPs were told to vote according to their personal beliefs and the vote was won by a large majority of 242 votes.

Abortion in the UK is legal up to 24 weeks, with the approval of two doctors. This will still be the case.

The new move, however, will decriminalise women having an abortion at any stage of their pregnancy.

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MPs vote to decriminalise abortion for women