Abortion became legal in the UK in 1967
- Abortions can be performed up to 24 weeks
- Abortions after 24 weeks are only possible if the mother’s life is in danger or there’s a serious foetal abnormality
- The law sets out specific grounds or reasons why abortions may be performed
- 2 doctors must agree that the abortion meets these requirements
- Northern Ireland has different abortion laws
Grounds for Abortion in the UK
British abortion law allows abortions to be performed for the following reasons:
A: if there is a risk to the woman’s life
B: if there is a risk of serious, permanent injury to the woman’s mental or physical health
C: if there is a risk of injury to the woman’s mental or physical health and she is less than 24 weeks pregnant
D: if there is a risk of injury to the mental or physical health of any existing children in the family, and the pregnancy is less than 24 weeks
E: if the foetus has a serious mental or physical abnormality
F: doctors can perform an emergency abortion to save the woman’s life G: doctors can perform an emergency abortion to prevent serious, permanent injury to the woman
G: doctors can perform an emergency abortion to prevent serious, permanent injury to the woman
Why Do Women Have Abortions?
- 98% of abortions in the UK are carried out under ground C
- Less than 2% of abortions are performed under ground E
- Less than 1% of abortions are performed under ground D
- Very small numbers of abortions are performed under the other grounds
Changes in UK Abortion Law
Abortion laws have changed a lot over time. One recent change relates to medical abortions:
- It used to be illegal to have an abortion anywhere other than a clinic or hospital
- Taking the second abortion pill at home is just as safe as taking it at a clinic
- Scotland and Wales now allow women to take this pill in the comfort of their own homes
- England is introducing legislation to allow women to do the same