London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Transport for London blocked Bpas abortion reform ads, citing police criticism concerns, despite ASA approval, sparking backlash from campaigners and MPs.
As reported by The Guardian, TfL has decided not to display Bpas ads calling on MPs to decriminalise abortion, stating they might reflect poorly on the police and City authorities.
In the weeks ahead, Parliament will consider amendments to the criminal justice bill aimed at decriminalising abortion across England and Wales.
What did Bpas adverts reveal about abortion laws in the UK?
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service charity has launched adverts sanctioned by the Advertising Standards Authority that will appear on display boards across England and Wales.
The campaign highlights anonymised case studies of women investigated by police. Several were prosecuted after undergoing termination or experiencing pregnancy loss.
What did Bpas say in their letter to TfL about the adverts?
Bpas wrote in a letter to TfL,
“The language is not inflammatory, derogatory or hateful. It is an accurate representation of real women’s experiences. It is intentionally simple, to the point, with a clear democratic call to action.”
What pro-choice campaigns did TfL allow in 2024?
Campaign ads by Dignity in Dying were featured throughout the TfL network in 2023, with prominent placement at Westminster tube station. That same year, pro-choice campaign materials, supported by Doctors for Choice and Abortion Talk, were displayed on buses across London, featuring the slogan “abortion is healthcare, not a crime.”
What did TfL say about the pro-choice ad campaign?
ATfL spokesperson stated,
“We reviewed this advertising campaign against both our advertising policy and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) code, and it was found to be compliant.”
What did TfL say about rejecting the Bpas ad?
In response to Bpas’s letter, TFL’s head of commercial media, Chris Reader stated,
“The reason for the rejection is that the proposed advertisement makes serious allegations about the police. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) is a member of the GLA group and one of its functions is to hold the Metropolitan police service (MPS) commissioner to account for the police service in London.”
He added that
“because Mopac’s functions in respect of the MPS are to some extent regulatory”,
the
“nature of the copy could bring Mopac into disrepute, given its responsibilities concerning the MPS.”
What did Bpas CEO say about TfL’s ad ban?
Heidi Stewart, CEO of Bpas, confirmed the charity will challenge the ruling by the transport authority.
She said,
“At a pivotal moment for abortion law reform in this country, TfL regulations have silenced the voices of women who have been left utterly traumatised by our archaic legislation and by those enforcing it.”
Ms Stewart added,
“This cannot be allowed to happen again. Women deserve to have their stories told – and the public has a right to hear them. We will be challenging this decision at the highest levels.”
What did Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi say about the TfL advert ban?
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, backing an amendment to reform the law, said she was “stunned” by the decision to block the adverts on the network. She described it as an effort to “silence desperate women’s voices and dodge accountability.”
She stated,
“In the last month, we’ve heard how police forced through the prosecution of a woman for abortion offences, have issued guidance telling police to search the homes of women who’ve had stillbirths, and that decisions about enforcement on abortion are made at the highest levels of the Met.”
Ms Antoniazzi added,
“It’s not hard to see why they wouldn’t want the public to know. It’s not these women’s stories that bring the police into disrepute – it’s their actions.”
The amendment proposed by Antoniazzi seeks to remove abortion-related criminal penalties for women in England and Wales. It is backed by a range of organisations, including charities, trade unions, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and Bpas.
She stated,
“The police cannot be trusted with abortion law – nor can the CPS or the wider criminal justice system. My amendment NC1 to the crime and policing bill will give us the urgent change we need to protect women.”
TfL’s views on the rejected advertisement
A TfL spokesperson stated,
“The proposed advertisement did not comply with TfL advertising policy because it made negative references to the police.”
Key facts about Transport for London
Passenger Numbers & Revenue
- TfL’s passenger growth was only 1.3% in 2024/25, far below the forecasted 6%, resulting in 139 million fewer journeys and a £209 million shortfall in fare revenue.
- The Elizabeth line performed well, but bus ridership stagnated at 84% of pre-pandemic levels, with no growth expected in 2025/26
- Fare evasion costs TfL over £100 million annually, with a target to reduce it below 1.5% by 2030
Financial Performance
- TfL’s operating surplus for 2025/26 is projected at just £5 million, with break-even achieved partly due to £226 million in pension contribution savings.
- A £255 million passenger income shortfall was reported for 2024/25, though mitigated by higher road user charges.
- Total borrowing is approaching £14 billion, with major projects (e.g., Bakerloo Line extension) dependent on government funding.