Overview

This bill proposes to amend the Abortion Act 1967 in England, Wales, and Scotland. It aims to remove cleft lip, cleft palate, and clubfoot from the list of qualifying physical abnormalities that currently allow for medical termination of pregnancy.

Description

The bill directly amends the Abortion Act 1967. Specifically, it adds a new subsection (1A) to section 1(1). This new subsection explicitly states that cleft lip, cleft palate (including cases with both), and clubfoot will no longer be considered qualifying physical abnormalities justifying abortion under section 1(1)(d) of the 1967 Act. The bill will come into force two months after it is passed and applies to England, Wales, and Scotland.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The potential indirect effects, such as changes in healthcare resource allocation due to altered abortion rates, are difficult to predict and quantify.

Groups Affected

This bill could affect:
• Pregnant women: Women carrying fetuses diagnosed with cleft lip, cleft palate, or clubfoot may face limitations on their abortion access.
• Healthcare providers: Healthcare professionals will need to be aware of the changes in the law and follow the amended guidelines.
• Families affected by these conditions: Families may experience differing impacts depending on their views on abortion. Those advocating for inclusion may be impacted negatively, while those opposed may be impacted positively.

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