On 17 June 2025, the UK Parliament voted 379–137 to decriminalise self-managed abortions in England and Wales through an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. This means women will no longer face arrest or prosecution for ending their own pregnancies, even if it’s outside the current legal limits (e.g. after 24 weeks or without two doctors’ approval). Although the criminal law on abortion is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, the precedent set by this decision means there will be renewed pressure for similar changes to be made in Scotland.
The Free Church of Scotland laments the UK Parliament’s decision to decriminalise self-managed abortion. While we have consistently rejected the moral legitimacy of the 1967 Abortion Act, we acknowledge that its supporters’ stated aim was to protect women from the dangers of unregulated, back-street procedures. This new decision removes even those minimal safeguards, opening the door to dangerous practices without medical supervision and abandons any legal protections for unborn children. It is a grave injustice—both to vulnerable women and to the defenceless lives of the unborn—reflecting a society drifting further from moral responsibility and the value of human life.
Responding to the decision Rev Stephen Allison, Public Engagement Coordinator for the Free Church, said: “While we acknowledge the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, we believe that removing legal protections for unborn children at any stage of pregnancy undermines the intrinsic value and dignity of human life. True compassion upholds both the care of women in crisis and the defence of the most vulnerable. This decision will normalise unsafe, unregulated abortions and sends a troubling message about the sanctity of life.”
The Free Church of Scotland previously responded to a petition seeking to decriminalise abortion in Scotland – see our full response here.