Caution over Surrogacy Reform, Steps Against Sex-Based Hate
High-Level Summary
Westminster Hall debated two e‑petitions: reforming surrogacy law on legal parenthood and recognising misogyny within hate crime law. On surrogacy, Members contrasted the joint Law Commissions’ proposed pre‑birth pathway with the current post‑birth parental‑order system, weighing intended parents’ certainty against safeguards for surrogates and children. The Minister acknowledged challenges and outlined current law but said the Government is “not in a position to bring forward legislation on surrogacy reform immediately”, and confirmed the Department is “looking into the allegations about My Surrogacy Journey”. On misogyny, Members pressed for broader recognition of sex‑based hostility across hate crime law and stronger action online; Ministers pointed to new aggravated offences covering sex, a wider strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, and said further changes will be considered following Lord Macdonald’s review. Both debates concluded with the House resolving that it had considered the petitions.
Detailed Summary
E‑petition 763161: Surrogacy law and legal parenthood
Opening for the Petitions Committee, Dave Robertson explained the petition’s aim that “the intended parents of babies born through surrogacy can be considered to be the legal parents from the moment of their child’s birth”. He set out that under current law “the surrogate mother is considered the legal mother at birth under UK law” and that organisations say “the process normally takes between six and 12 months to complete”, leaving some feeling in “legal limbo”. He outlined the 2023 joint Law Commissions’ proposal for “a new pathway to legal parenthood” with pre‑conception screening and recognition from birth, applying to UK arrangements only, and raised concerns about exploitation risks in some international contexts.
Contributors presented differing views. Rebecca Smith urged caution, calling the six‑week post‑birth period “a vital safeguard for the surrogate mother”, and referenced stricter approaches overseas. Shivani Raja argued that delaying parental orders and CAFCASS oversight protect children: “A parental order cannot be applied for until six weeks after birth”. Others supported reform with safeguards: Josh Newbury endorsed the Law Commissions’ approach as “a new regulated pathway under which intended parents could become legal parents from birth”, while Rachel Taylor said, “Families have changed and society has changed; the law must now change too”. Responding, the Minister summarised the current framework, confirmed the Department is “looking into the allegations about My Surrogacy Journey”, and stated the Government is “not in a position to bring forward legislation on surrogacy reform immediately”. Outcome: Question put and agreed to; “Resolved, That this House has considered e‑petition 763161 relating to surrogacy law and legal parenthood”.
E‑petition 746640: Crimes motivated by misogyny and hate crime law
Introducing the debate, Tony Vaughan argued for misogyny to be recognised within hate crime law and recorded nationally. He highlighted that section 145 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 “will extend the racially and religiously aggravated offences… to also cover hostility based on sex, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity”, asked about commencement, and pressed for firmer online measures, noting Ofcom’s guidance is voluntary and that “nothing less than a binding… code of practice is required”. He also raised training gaps across the criminal justice system.
Members across the House sought stronger action. Wera Hobhouse urged Ministers to “amend the Sentencing Act 2020 so that all crimes motivated by misogyny are classed as hate crimes”. Luke Myer welcomed the commitment to tackle violence against women and girls and to “halve it within a decade”, and asked about local support and funding stability. Minister Satvir Kaur said the aggravated offences mean “the courts will be able to recognise hostility based on sex”, commencement will proceed “as quickly as possible”, and the strategy includes “banning under‑16s from major social media platforms”. On wider reform, she stated, “I cannot commit the Government to such changes today” and referenced Lord Macdonald’s review, which the Government is considering. She also cited investment of “more than £13.9 million in the national centre for VAWG”. Outcome: Question put and agreed to; “Resolved, That this House has considered e‑petition 746640…”.