Creasy’s Abortion Law Amendment⁢ Faces Opposition from Providers

⁢ ⁤ ⁢Updated June 10, 2025
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A leading pro-choice charity reports that Labor MP Stella Creasy’s attempt‍ to reform abortion law is not supported by key abortion providers.Rachael Clarke, head of advocacy at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas), stated that Creasy’s NC20 amendment to the criminal justice bill is “not the right way” ⁤to overhaul current laws regarding abortion access.

Instead, Bpas is endorsing a separate proposal, NC1, introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi. Antoniazzi’s amendment has garnered support from over 50 pro-choice organizations, including Bpas, MSI⁢ Reproductive Choices, and the Royal college of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

“We are not supporting NC20, and neither are any of the abortion providers in the country,” ⁢Clarke ⁣said on BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

Clarke emphasized the ‍complexity of abortion law, which affects approximately 250,000 women annually. She stressed the importance of thorough consideration and involvement from providers, medical bodies, regulators, and extensive parliamentary debate before making ⁢significant ⁢changes to ‍abortion access.

She cautioned against rushing a “generational change” with limited debate ‍time. Votes on the amendments are scheduled for June 17 and 18.

Abortion in England and Wales is primarily governed by the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, with legal exceptions outlined in the Abortion Act 1967. The 1967 act allows for abortions up to 24 weeks⁤ and ‍at any point if the mother’s life ⁢is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability.

Antoniazzi’s amendment aims to decriminalize abortion for women, ensuring that “no offense is committed by a woman acting in relation to her⁣ own pregnancy,” while maintaining the existing framework ⁣for abortion access.

“The police cannot be trusted with abortion⁢ law – nor can the CPS or the wider criminal justice system,” Antoniazzi ‍stated. “My amendment NC1 to the crime and policing bill will give us the urgent change we need to protect women.”

Creasy’s amendment seeks⁤ to decriminalize abortion up to 24 weeks, modifying aspects of the Abortion Act.It⁢ also aims to prevent prison sentences for late-term abortions performed outside the Act’s provisions.

“Our proposal explicitly leaves in place the well-established time limit under which you can access an abortion,”‍ Creasy said. “It removes the threat of criminal prosecution for abortion ⁣because it is a healthcare matter.”

Recent prosecutions, including the case of ⁢Nicola Packer, have highlighted ⁣the need for reform. A petition urging the government to decriminalize abortion has gathered over 100,000 signatures.

What’s next

Parliament is expected to debate and vote on the proposed amendments to abortion law on ⁢June 17 and 18, setting the ⁣stage for potential changes to abortion access and the legal framework surrounding it.