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Abortion: Gender

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 2 March 2026UIN 112218

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to require abortion providers to provide clear guidance regarding the legality of procuring a termination on the basis of sex.

Answered by Karin Smyth

There is no policy requirement for abortion providers to provide guidance regarding the legality of procuring a termination on the basis of sex, as all abortion providers must comply with the legal requirements set out in the Abortion Act 1967. The Department’s guidance is clear that sex is not itself a lawful ground for termination of pregnancy in England and Wales under the Abortion Act 1967 and it is illegal for a practitioner to carry out an abortion for that reason alone.

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