Press releases

After a decade of BPAS’s campaigning, and 18 months since the law was passed overwhelmingly by Parliament – safe access zones will today come into force in England and Wales.

Nearly Half (49%) of Women Face Barriers: Women across the UK report long wait times, difficulty securing appointments, and financial hurdles when trying to access their preferred method of contraception.

BPAS CEO, Heidi Stewart, comments on today's announcement that safe access zones will be brought into force around abortion clinics from 31st October 2024.

Today marks 500 days since Parliament passed legislation to establish Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics. The law was supposed to shield women and healthcare staff from aggressive protests that obstruct access to essential medical care. Yet 500 days later, that promise remains unfulfilled.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) expresses its profound disappointment at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing a retrial of a woman accused of procuring her own abortion when she was a teenager, seven years after the alleged offence.

BPAS and Back Off Scotland have welcomed the passage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill through its final stage of the Scottish Parliament. The zones will come into force on a day determined by the Minister.