MPs vote to end prosecution of women for abortion in England and Wales
MPs backed an amendment by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi by a majority of 242. The amendment would ensure that women cannot be criminally prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies at any stage.
Protesters from pro-choice group 'abortion rights' gather near parliament, where MPs were voting on the decriminalisation of abortion on June 17, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
UK MPs have voted in favour of ending the prosecution of women in England and Wales for ending their own pregnancies, marking a significant step towards changing how abortion laws are applied.
Under current laws, women can face criminal charges if they terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without the approval of two doctors. These laws still carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The vote follows public attention on the issue after recent court cases, including one where a woman was acquitted at trial and another who was released from prison on appeal.
On Tuesday, MPs backed an amendment by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi by a majority of 242. The amendment would ensure that women cannot be criminally prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies at any stage. However, it does not alter the existing abortion laws themselves.
The wider crime and policing bill must now go through a full parliamentary vote and then be passed by the House of Lords to become law.
Existing laws under scrutiny
“Women are currently being arrested from hospital bed to police cell and facing criminal investigations on suspicion of ending their own pregnancy,” Antoniazzi told AFP.
“My amendment would put a stop to this,” she said, calling it “the right amendment at the right time”.
In England and Wales, abortion remains a criminal offence under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, which still carries the potential for life imprisonment.
The Abortion Act of 1967 legalised terminations in certain circumstances, including up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, when performed by authorised providers.
Abortions beyond that time are permitted only in limited situations, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or if there is a “substantial risk” the child may be born with a serious disability.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the law was updated to allow women to take abortion pills at home up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.
Recent court cases
In May, Nicola Packer was acquitted after taking prescribed abortion medicine when she was about 26 weeks pregnant, beyond the legal limit for home use.
The 45-year-old told jurors during her trial — which followed a four-year police investigation — that she had not realised how far along her pregnancy was.
“It was horrendous giving evidence, absolutely awful,” she told The Guardian last month.
Concerns and support
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has described the proposed amendment as “the greatest threat to unborn babies in decades”.
Antoniazzi’s amendment does not change laws concerning how abortion services are provided or the time limits involved. Medical professionals who assist in abortions outside of legal provisions will still face prosecution.
Around 50 organisations, including abortion providers, medical bodies and women’s rights groups, support the amendment.
They note that six women in England have been taken to court in the past three years for ending or attempting to end their pregnancies outside legal frameworks.
Carla Foster was jailed in 2023 after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy between 32 and 34 weeks. Her sentence was later suspended by the Court of Appeal.
Antoniazzi told the BBC that police had investigated “more than 100 women for suspected illegal abortion in the last five years including women who’ve suffered natural miscarriages and stillbirths”.
“This is just wrong. It's a waste of taxpayers money, it's a waste of the judiciary’s time, and it's not in the public interest,” she said.
Responding to the vote, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that women have the right to a “safe and legal abortion”.
Northern Ireland decriminalised abortion for women in 2019. Scotland is currently reviewing its abortion laws.
AN AMERICAN woman wore a niqab as a disguise after being hired to kill a shopkeeper in Birmingham, but the gun jammed during the attack, Birmingham crown court was told.
Aimee Betro, 45, from Wisconsin, is accused of conspiring to murder Sikander Ali on September 7, 2019, in South Yardley. She denies the charge, The Times reported.
Prosecutor Tom Walkling KC said the incident was part of a long-running vendetta involving Aslat Mahamud’s family. Co-accused Mohammed Aslam, 59, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, allegedly conspired with Betro in revenge after they were injured during a 2018 incident at Mahamud’s clothing shop.
The court heard Betro bought a Mercedes and waited outside Mahamud’s home. When Ali arrived, CCTV captured her approaching and firing at close range, but the gun jammed. Ali reversed his SUV, damaging the Mercedes door.
Later, Betro allegedly returned by taxi and fired three shots at the house, breaking windows. She also allegedly sent texts to Ali’s father, saying, “Where are you hiding?... Stop playing hide and seek” and “Come and meet me, I’m at Asda.”
Betro flew into the UK on August 22 and returned to the US on September 9 after flying from Manchester. She was arrested in Armenia in June last year. Aslam and Nazir were jailed last November.
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Images shared on social media showed the three offering prayers and seeking blessings at the temple. (Photo: Instagram/neasdentemple)
MUKESH AMBANI, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London on July 13, along with his youngest son Anant Ambani and daughter-in-law radhika merchant.
The visit took place a day after Anant and Radhika celebrated their first wedding anniversary on July 12.
Images shared on social media showed the three offering prayers and seeking blessings at the temple, also known as the Neasden Temple.
The temple posted on Instagram: “It was a pleasure to welcome Shri Mukesh, Shri Anant and Shrimati Radhika Ambani to Neasden Temple. They visited seeking darshan and blessings on the occasion of Anant and Radhika’s first wedding anniversary – a devout moment of faith, family, and gratitude.”
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, inaugurated in 1995 by Swami Maharaj, was hand-carved in India using Italian Carrara and Indian Ambaji marble along with Bulgarian limestone before being assembled in London. It is a prominent Hindu place of worship and a noted architectural site in the UK.
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Secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds and India's industry minister Piyush Goyal stand together after they signed a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
Most products between India and the UK will now move duty-free, making them cheaper and more competitive.
Sensitive Indian sectors like dairy products, apples, oats, and edible oils are excluded to protect local farmers.
The pact is seen as the biggest of its kind since Brexit and a model for future UK trade deals
THE free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK was signed on Thursday (24). This historic pact aims to boost trade, create jobs, and support businesses and farmers in both countries. Under the agreement, tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop to 75 per cent from 150 per cent immediately, and then slide to 40 per cent over the next decade, according to the British government. On cars, India will cut duties to 10 per cent from over 100 per cent under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised. In return, Indian manufacturers will gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, also under a quota system.
What Does the Agreement Do?
Eliminates tariffs (import taxes) on about 99 per cent of goods traded between India and the UK – This means most products can now move between the two countries without extra costs
Covers nearly all sectors: agriculture, textiles, engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, gems & jewellery, and more
The deal is expected to almost double two-way trade to about £96 billion by 2030
Over 95 per cent of Indian agricultural and processed food products (like fruits, vegetables, cereals, spices, ready-to-eat foods) will enter the UK with zero duty.
Duty-free access is set to boost Indian agricultural exports by more than 20 per cent over three years, moving closer to India’s £80bn agri-export target for 2030.
New market access for non-traditional crops like jackfruit, millets, and organic herbs.
No tariff cuts for sensitive items like dairy, apples, oats, and edible oils – these remain protected for Indian farmers.
Special focus on Indian states with major exports: Maharashtra (grapes, onions), Gujarat (groundnut, cotton), Punjab and Haryana (basmati rice), Kerala (spices).
Services and skilled professionals
Easier mobility for Indian professionals in sectors like IT, architecture, engineering, yoga, music, and cuisine
Indian professionals on short-term contracts will no longer pay social security in the UK.
Innovation and digital trade
Prime minister Keir Starmer and prime minister Narendra Modi of India hug during a press conference after signing a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
First-ever innovation chapter: Joint work on new technologies, digital trade, streamlined processes, and mutual recognition of standards will help businesses adapt quickly.
Economic Impact
Expected to add over £20bn per year in increased trade for both sides
Both countries hope to create thousands of new jobs
UK secures £6bn in new investments linked to this agreement
Marine Products
UK tariffs eliminated on Indian seafood, such as shrimp, tuna, and fishmeal. This is significant as these tariffs previously ranged from 4.2 per cent to 8.5 per cent
It will help fisherfolk in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha earn more through better price realisation.
India currently supplies only about two per cent of UK’s £4.3bn marine import market – the deal opens big room for growth.
Plantation products
Duty-free access for tea, coffee, and spices (e.g. instant coffee) means Indian products can compete better with European exporters such as Germany and Spain.
Boost to value-added exports, like Indian instant coffee.
Textiles and clothing
All 1,143 product categories in this sector now have zero tariffs in the UK
India loses past disadvantages to Bangladesh and Pakistan, who already enjoyed duty-free access.
Sectors set for highest growth: ready-made garments, home textiles, carpets, handicrafts.
India aims to increase its UK market share by at least five per cent within two years.
Engineering and manufacturing
Zero-duty access for a wide range of engineering goods, auto parts, industrial equipment, and construction machinery.
UK is already India’s 6th largest engineering export market.
Tariffs reduced from up to 18 per cent to zero.
Indian exports of engineering goods to UK could nearly double to over £6bn by 2030.
Electronics and IT
Zero-duty for Indian electronic products, such as smartphones and optical fibre cables.
Stronger opportunities for Indian software and IT-enabled services firms, with forecasted 15-20 per cent annual growth from current £25.6bn exports.
Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
UK market, valued at nearly £24bn, opens up with removal of tariffs on Indian generic medicines and medical devices (e.g. surgical instruments, diagnostics)
Increases affordability and competitiveness for Indian exporters.
Chemicals and plastics
India expects a 30-40 per cent boost in chemical exports to UK with removal of tariffs (previously up to eight per cent).
In plastics, duty-free access covers products like films, pipes, packaging, and kitchenware.
Gems, jewellery and leather
Tariffs on leather goods and footwear drop from 16 per cent to zero – good news for MSMEs in Indian hubs such as Agra, Kanpur, and Chennai.
Gems and jewellery exports projected to double in next two to three years
Sports goods, toys, and processed foods also benefit from tariff elimination.
(Agencies)
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Prime minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer hosted his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister, on Thursday (24). The two leaders held a private meeting ahead of in-depth discussions.
Modi arrived in London on Wednesday (23) as part of a two-nation visit to the UK and the Maldives. The formalisation of the FTA is a major highlight of his two-day trip.
In May, India and the UK concluded the FTA, which is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports by removing tariffs and will simplify the export process for British companies dealing in whisky, cars, and other goods. The agreement is set to boost the overall trade relationship significantly.
The FTA is set to provide significant benefits, as the deal will eliminate tariffs on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value, sources said. It will also simplify the export process for British firms dealing in whisky, cars, and other products destined for India, boosting the overall trade relationship.
Agriculture and allied sectors stand out as major beneficiaries, with Indian farmers gaining market access for high-value products such as vegetables, fruits, basmati rice, cereals, animal products, beverages, oilseeds, and dairy, the sources added.
The pact directly supports India’s ambitious target of achieving £80 billion in agricultural exports by 2030.
In key labour-intensive sectors, duties have been reduced to zero from previously high levels of up to 20 per cent on marine products, 12 per cent on textiles and clothing, 8 per cent on chemicals, and 10 per cent on base metals, the sources said.
Notably, in the processed food sector, tariffs on 99.7 per cent of product lines have been slashed from as high as 70 per cent to zero, providing a substantial boost to Indian exporters. The deal is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors, including agriculture.
The pact offers a transformative opportunity for businesses across key industries such as agriculture, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, electronics, and marine products.
India currently exports approximately £29.3 billion worth of agricultural goods globally, while the UK imports around £30bn in the sector but sources only some £650m from India, illustrating strong potential for growth in high-value agricultural products.
The UK is a premium market for niche Indian agricultural products such as tea, mangoes, grapes, spices, and marine products.
The India-UK FTA will enable Indian farmers to secure premium prices for these products in the UK market, delivering a ‘seismic shift’ by granting Indian agri-products parity with major EU exporters like Germany and the Netherlands, which currently enjoy zero tariffs, the sources concluded.
(with inputs from agencies)
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Police officers guard the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf during a demonstration on July 23, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
POLICE will deploy hundreds of officers this weekend in response to planned immigration-related protests in Epping, northeast of London, amid concerns about possible rioting, Essex’s police chief said on Wednesday.
Essex chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington said demonstrations had been advertised for Saturday and Sunday following protests in recent days that led to charges of violent disorder.
"We'll have a robust policing operation. Essex is safe. You will have hundreds of officers on duty," Harrington said at a press conference.
The protests have taken place outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, located around 20 miles north of London, where asylum seekers are being housed.
Five men have been charged with violent disorder following incidents over the past week. Police said 10 people had been arrested in connection with the protests, during which vehicles were damaged and projectiles were thrown, injuring eight officers.
The police response comes in the wake of unrest last summer involving far-right supporters. The rioting followed false social media claims that the suspect in the murder of three girls was a radical Islamist migrant. The anniversary of the murders in Southport is on July 29.
Harrington said Essex Police’s priority was to protect communities while ensuring the right to peaceful protest.
The Bell Hotel in Epping has become a focal point for both anti-immigration protesters and pro-immigration groups after an Ethiopian asylum seeker living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. The man denies the charges, according to a BBC report.
The BBC said the man had arrived in the UK by boat from northern Europe eight days before the alleged incident on July 7 and is currently in custody.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has committed to stopping small boat arrivals but has faced challenges in doing so. Official data released earlier this month showed that nearly 20,000 asylum seekers arrived in the UK on small boats in the first half of the year, the highest number recorded for that period.