Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration is given to the welfare of (1) women, and (2) children, when developing policy on surrogacy.

The Law Commissions for England and Wales and Scotland have been undertaking a review of United Kingdom legislation about surrogacy with significant engagement from a range of stakeholders. The Law Commissions are currently considering responses to a public consultation about proposed changes.

The key consideration of these proposals is to balance the best interests of children born through surrogacy, treated as paramount in line with the current law, with the interests of women acting as surrogates, and the interests of intended parents.

Draft legislation is expected in 2022 and is intended to be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny.