The House of Lords has voted to support a bid to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, where the procedure remains a criminal offense under legislation dating back 164 years.

Currently, abortion is considered a crime under existing law, with exceptions only permitted under strict circumstances. The centuries-old legislation continues to govern abortion access in England and Wales despite significant social and medical advances since its enactment.

The Lords' backing represents a significant step in efforts to reform abortion law, though the measure would still require further parliamentary approval to become law. The vote reflects ongoing debates about modernizing reproductive health legislation in the UK.

Proponents of decriminalisation argue that the current legal framework is outdated and places unnecessary barriers on women's healthcare decisions. The existing law requires specific conditions to be met before abortion procedures can be legally performed.

The proposal now moves forward in the legislative process, though it remains unclear when or if it will receive consideration in the House of Commons. Any changes to abortion law would represent a major shift in reproductive rights policy for England and Wales.