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

Lady Victoria Hervey claims Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre's credibility 'destroyed' following hospital release

Lady Victoria Hervey claims Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre's credibility 'destroyed' following hospital release

China vows to 'fight to the end' as Trump threatens additional 50 per cent tariffs amid global market turmoil

China vows to 'fight to the end' as Trump escalates war with further 50 per cent tariffs amid global market turmoil

Couple holding hands

Campaigners 'deeply moved' by baby loss certificate scheme - as more than 100,000 issued since service started

Pregnancy

Diabetes during pregnancy linked to increased risk of disorders like autism and ADHD in children, study suggests

Just 3% of England’s local road network received any form of maintenance in the 2023/24 financial year, new analysis shows.

Only 3% of local road network received maintenance in the last year

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected from entering Israel

Israel's decision to bar two MPs from entering country 'smacks of racism', claims MP

c

Baby girl makes history as first child in UK to be born from womb transplant

US-ISRAEL-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-TRUMP-NETANYAHU

Trump says US will hold direct talks with Iran as he insists Tehran cannot get nuclear weapons

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israeli troops opened fire on ambulances because of 'perceived threat', IDF investigation finds

Angela

Angela Rayner quizzed on whether Army could be deployed to Birmingham to help collect bins during strike

John Lees

Teacher who crashed car into tree on way to school after drinking half bottle of wine avoids ban from teaching

LBC's Tom Swarbrick headed to Birmingham to investigate the bin strikes

LBC's Tom Swarbrick investigates the Birmingham bin strike as 'mountains of rubbish' fill the streets

Neighbours rushed to the terraced house after a gunman fired into its living room on Sunday.

Horror video shows moment ‘gunman shoots dad, 60, dead through downstairs window’ in broad daylight

Police have launched an urgent search for missing girl, who was last seen 24 hours ago in Stoke-on-Trent.

Urgent hunt for missing schoolgirl, 12, after she didn't return home last night

A plastic surgeon has been found guilty of attempting to murder a fellow doctor

Plastic surgeon guilty of attempting to murder colleague he wanted 'out of the way'

Blondie, 1979. Clockwise from top left, guitarist Chris Stein, singer Debbie Harry, bass player Nigel Harrison, drummer Clem Burke, guitarist Frank Infante and keyboard player Jimmy Destri

Tributes pour in as Blondie star dies aged 70 after private battle with cancer