Abortion safe zones coming into force on 31 October, says Home Office

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.”

The law was initially approved by Parliament in May 2023. However the government said it would launch a consultation on guidance before permitting the buffer zones to be implemented.

This led one charity to accuse the then-Conservative government of kicking the issue “into the long grass”.

Campaigners also raised concern that the draft guidance would still allow “silent prayer” outside abortion clinics.

The Home Office now says the changes will be implemented from the end of October.

Under the law it would be illegal for “anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises,” the department said.

It is expected that silent prayer will fall under the scope of the law. Police and prosecutors will get guidance on enforcing the law in the coming weeks.

A similar ban was introduced in Northern Ireland last year and another will come into force in Scotland on 24 September.