Documents to download

The Abortion (Disability Equality) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Shinkwin (Conservative). The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 25 May 2016, and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 21 October 2016.

The Bill seeks to amend section 1 of the Abortion Act 1967; section 1 details the conditions, or grounds, under which a medical termination of a pregnancy can occur. The Bill would remove one of these grounds, “that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped”, from the 1967 Act.

Related Links

Documents to download

Related posts

  • Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: HL Bill 32 of 2026–27

    The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill is a government bill intended to strengthen the cyber security of organisations in the UK that provide essential services, such as healthcare, drinking water and energy. It would amend the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018 to include additional sectors and update incident reporting duties. It would also confer powers on the secretary of state to amend the legislation and issue directions to organisations when necessary for national security. The bill is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Lords on 14 July 2026.

    Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: HL Bill 32 of 2026–27

  • Acute, primary and community healthcare

    There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.

    Acute, primary and community healthcare

  • Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME): An overview

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME): An overview