Friday 14th November 2025
Today, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) welcomed the publication of an independent report by the expert group established to review Scotland’s abortion law.
The Abortion Law Expert Group was commissioned as part of the Scottish Government’s 2023–24 Programme for Government to undertake an independent review of the current law and to consider how abortion can be regulated as a safe, modern healthcare service for women. The group was chaired by Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion Professor Anna Glasier and included representatives from the RCOG, CoSRH, and BPAS.
In response to the report, Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
“We welcome this report – the proposed changes in Scotland represent an important step towards ensuring that women can access abortion care safely, confidentially and without fear of investigation or prosecution.
“These recommendations also reflect a positive trend across all four nations of the UK towards treating abortion as essential healthcare rather than a criminal issue. In England and Wales, MPs have already sent a clear message by voting to remove women from the criminal law – reflecting public opinion that reproductive rights matter. We now urge Peers in the House of Lords to follow suit and back this vital amendment to see abortion decriminalised.
“Abortion is healthcare that around one in three women will need in their lifetime, and it should be regulated and delivered to the same professional standards as any other medical procedure, not through the criminal law.”
Dr Sinead Cook, CoSRH Scotland Committee Chair and Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health, NHS Grampian said:
"I'm delighted to see the release of this important report shaped by the Expert Working Group. We urge the Scottish Parliament to take forward its recommendations to decriminalise abortion and recognise it as a core part of healthcare. These changes would be transformative for both patients and staff, enabling services to deliver the best possible abortion care to all who need it."
Heidi Stewart, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS, said:
"The Scottish Government launched this review with the aim of creating a framework that recognises abortion as, first and foremost, a matter of healthcare. The recommendations of the Expert Group provide a clear roadmap for achieving exactly that through measured, evidence-based legal reform. At a time of increased attacks on reproductive rights globally, the Scottish government’s commitment to advancing access to abortion care must be commended.
“This report demonstrates that the current abortion law in Scotland - and across Great Britain - no longer reflects modern scientific understanding or contemporary medical practice. The paternalistic requirement for two doctors to authorise an abortion serves no clinical purpose, causes unnecessary delays, and is fundamentally at odds with society’s view of women today. Reform is also essential to unlock the full potential of nurse- and midwife-led care – a model already well established in countries such as Sweden, Norway, and France.
“When it was passed in 1967, the Abortion Act was intended to protect women’s health. Yet almost sixty years on, it now stands as a barrier to the delivery of the best possible medical care. It is now time for politicians to take these reforms forward and deliver a framework that is fit for women and healthcare providers in the twenty-first century."
Please direct any questions in relation to the report to the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Communications and Media team: 0300 244 9021.
For further comment, please contact Rachael Clarke, Head of Advocacy at BPAS, on 07985 351751 or email press@bpas.org
Notes to editors:
Access the full report via the Scottish Government website here.
About RCOG
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is a medical charity that champions the provision of high quality women’s healthcare in the UK and beyond. It is dedicated to encouraging the study and advancing the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. It does this through postgraduate medical education and training and the publication of clinical guidelines and reports on aspects of the specialty and service provision.
About CoSRH
The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) represents 14,000 professionals across the UK and sets clinical standards, provides training and education, and champions safe, accessible, and effective reproductive healthcare for all.
About BPAS
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS, is a charity that sees over 100,000 women a year for reproductive healthcare services including pregnancy counselling, abortion care, miscarriage management and contraception at clinics across Great Britain.