Crime and Policing Bill Report Stage: New Clause 1

On 17 June 2025, the House of Commons voted to pass New Clause 1 of the Crime and Policing Bill by 379 votes to 137. The clause, moved by Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour, Gower), removes women from the scope of criminal law relating to abortion, meaning a woman can no longer be investigated, arrested, prosecuted or imprisoned for any act relating to her own pregnancy, at any gestation. The change is targeted and narrow in scope. It leaves the Abortion Act 1967 untouched: the 24-week limit on most abortions remains, two doctors must still approve any termination, and healthcare professionals who operate outside the law remain subject to criminal sanction. What changes is that women themselves, including those who self-manage abortions outside a clinical setting, are removed from criminal liability. Supporters argued that prosecuting vulnerable women, including those fleeing abuse or trafficking, serves no public interest and that care is the appropriate response. Opponents argued that the existing criminal law framework provides necessary safeguards and that removing it could undermine protections for the unborn at any gestation. Parties divided sharply. Labour MPs voted 266 to 22 in favour, with the Labour and Co-operative group adding a further 26 ayes against 3 noes. The Liberal Democrats backed the clause 64 to 2. The Conservatives voted 90 to 8 against. Reform UK and the Democratic Unionist Party were unanimously opposed among those who voted. The Green Party and Plaid Cymru voted entirely in favour. The government supported the clause, and it passed with a substantial majority reflecting broad backing from the government benches and most of the smaller opposition parties.