Buffer zones to be introduced around abortion clinics by the end of October

18 September 2024, 00:00

Anti-Abortion 'March For Life' In London Prompts Pro-Choice Counterprotest
Anti-Abortion 'March For Life' In London Prompts Pro-Choice Counterprotest. Picture: Getty

By Henry Moore

Buffer zones outside of abortion clinics will be introduced in England and Wales at the end of October, the Home Office has announced.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Last year, MPs voted to bring in legislation in a bid to end the harassment of women outside of the clinics.

Efforts to introduce the buffer zones had been delayed under the previous government amid debates over the issue of silent prayer.

The new law, which will come into effect on October 31, prohibits protests within 150 metres of clinics or hospitals providing abortion services.

This comes as part of the Public Order Act, which received royal assent on May 2 2023.

Read more: Action on climate change will be central to 'all' major policy, promises David Lammy in first big speech as foreign secretary

Read more: Final 999 call of woman killed with crossbow along with mother and sister, as man appears in court for triple murder

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: "The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no-one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this.

"We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay.

Anti-abortion protesters hold a vigil outside the Marie Stopes Clinic in Ealing on April 21, 2018 in London
Anti-abortion protesters hold a vigil outside the Marie Stopes Clinic in Ealing on April 21, 2018 in London. Picture: Getty

"For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this Government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women."

Despite praise from campaign groups, these buffer zones have been accused of watering down the implementation if silent prayer was not also banned.

Anti-abortion groups have said these buffer zones threaten the public’s freedom of speech and freedom to express their religious beliefs.

As part of the new law, it will be illegal for any person to intentionally or recklessly influence someone’s decision while attending an abortion clinic or cause harassment or distress to someone using or working at such premises.

This could include silent prayer, according to reports.

Jess Phillips speaks at the Labour Party Conference in 2023
Jess Phillips speaks at the Labour Party Conference in 2023. Picture: Getty

Women's health minister Baroness Merron said: "The safety and wellbeing of women accessing abortion services remains our priority.

"No women should feel scared or threatened when accessing these services, and it is only right they are protected from any abuse or harassment.

"This Government will continue to work closely with NHS England, abortion providers and the wider sector to ensure that women have access to safe, high-quality abortion services."

The Home Office has said Guidance will be published in the coming weeks by the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to "ensure there is clarity and consistency with the enforcement of the new offence."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Just Stop Oil protesters glued themselves to Museum wall and then threw tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh's famous iconic 1888-9 art work 'Sunflowers'

'These attacks have to stop': National Museum Directors call for end to protests as visitors 'no longer feel safe'

P

PM's investment summit in chaos as port giant pulls £1bn announcement after minister brands P&O 'cowboy operator'

Meghan Markle has 'talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world'.

Meghan Markle 'spoke about being one of the most bullied people in the world' when meeting teens in California

Virginia McCullough has been jailed for life for the murder of both her parents

Bodies of couple murdered by daughter and hidden in house for four years only discovered after GP raised concerns

Johnny Jenkins says we have a serious problem in this country with people running late

Lateness isn’t just inconvenient - it’s unacceptable

Virginia McCullough will serve life with a minimum of 36 years

'Cheer up, you caught the bad guy': Moment callous daughter confesses to murdering parents as she is jailed for life

Tributes have poured in following the death of ex-Premier League footballer George Baldock aged 31

Sheffield Utd manager Chris Wilder pays tribute to his former player George Baldock after his death aged 31

Virginia McCullough has been jailed for life for the murder of both her parents

Daughter who murdered parents and lived with bodies for four years jailed for life - with minimum of 36 years

The Government has opened 60 investigations into suspected breaches since December 2022

More than 50 UK-linked firms investigated for suspected breaches of Russian oil sanctions

Jack Watkin, 25, claimed on social media in 2016 to own a £1.7 million fleet of expensive cars

Police hunt for self-proclaimed ‘rich kid of Instagram’ after breach of bail for fraud charge

BBC presenter Jay Blades arriving at Worcester Crown Court

Jay Blades pleads not guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards estranged wife

Aerial view of Sunbury Lock on the River Thames

Boat carrying six people capsizes on River Thames, five have been rescued with one still missing

c

Woman who murdered parents hid mother’s body in wardrobe and father’s in ‘makeshift tomb’ for four years

Big chill: Snow forecast across parts of the UK as Met Office warns temperatures could dip below freezing over the weekend

Arctic blast: Snow forecast across parts of the UK as Met Office warns temperatures could dip below zero this weekend

Virginia McCullough, 36, (pictured) admitted poisoning her father with prescription medication and stabbing her mother before hiding their bodies for years

Artist, 36, who murdered her parents then lived alongside their bodies for four years to be sentenced

A British man was stabbed to death with a Machete in an attack at his home in Kenya

British man 'stabbed to death with machete' in Kenya home after 'someone tried poisoning dogs'