Abortion Bill 2017-19


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. amend the law relating to abortion in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland; to remove criminal liability in respect of abortion performed with the consent of the pregnant woman up to the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy; to repeal sections 59 and 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; to create offences of termination of a pregnancy after its twenty-fourth week and non-consensual termination of a pregnancy; to amend the law relating to conscientious objection to participation in abortion treatment; and for connected purposes.

Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)

What is this Bill?

The Abortion was a Ten Minute Rule Bill tabled by Diana Johnson.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2017-19 Session.

Whose idea is this Bill?

As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Diana Johnson), not the Government.

What type of Bill is this?

A Ten Minute Rule Bill is a process of tabling a bill, where an MP has 10 minutes to advocate for their legislation to the Commons and the Minister responsible.

So is this going to become a law?

No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Ten Minute Rule Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill

Official Bill Page All Bill Debates

Next Event: There is no future stage currently scheduled for this bill

Last Event: Tuesday 23rd October 2018 - 1st reading: House of Commons

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons - 20%

Latest Key documents

Bill Debate
23/10/2018