Contraception
Contraception is provided free through the NHS regardless of age or immigration status, at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and some pharmacies. Since 2023 the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in England allows pharmacists to initiate and supply oral contraception without a GP appointment.
Key points
| Cost | Free on the NHS, including for people not registered with a GP |
|---|---|
| Where | GP, sexual health clinic, young people's clinic, and participating pharmacies in England |
| Emergency contraception | Free from sexual health clinics and most pharmacies; also available to buy |
| Under-16s | Can consent if Gillick competent; services are confidential |
| LARC | Implants and IUDs fitted free; sexual health clinics usually have shorter waits than GPs |
| Condoms | Free through C-Card schemes for young people and at clinics |
| Sterilisation | Available on the NHS, subject to local criteria |
| Pharmacy contraception service | Community pharmacies can now start and continue oral contraception without a GP appointment |
| Free everywhere | Contraception is free on the NHS across all four nations, including for visitors in some cases |
| Over the counter | Two progestogen-only pills are available to buy without prescription |
| Gillick competence | Under-16s can consent to contraception if they understand the decision |
In practice
- Use a pharmacy rather than waiting for a GP appointment for routine oral contraception.
- Sexual health clinics fit implants and coils without a GP referral.
Cost and coverage
Free.
Recent changes
Pharmacy supply of oral contraception has significantly reduced waiting times in England; Scotland and Wales have their own free EC and contraception arrangements.
Where to go
- NHS sexual health service finder; Brook for under-25s.
- Participating community pharmacies in England.
- Sexwise, the FPA-derived information service.
Worth knowing
Confidentiality applies to under-16s: a clinic will not tell your parents, and services are used to explaining that clearly at the first appointment. Under-16s are entitled to confidential contraception where they understand the decision. Clinicians will encourage but cannot require parental involvement.
The general article: Contraception · Compare with another country
Abortion
The Abortion Act 1967 does not legalise abortion outright: it provides a defence to the offences in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, where two registered doctors agree that a statutory ground is met. Northern Ireland followed a different path — abortion was decriminalised there in 2019 and regulations introduced in 2020.
Key points
| Time limit | 24 weeks on the main ground (risk to physical or mental health greater than termination); no limit for serious fetal abnormality or grave permanent injury |
|---|---|
| Approval | Two registered doctors must certify a ground |
| Telemedicine | Both pills can be taken at home up to 10 weeks, made permanent in England and Wales in 2022, with equivalents in Scotland and Wales |
| Under-16s | Can consent if Gillick competent; confidentiality applies |
 Northern Ireland | Decriminalised in 2019; services commissioned since, though access has been uneven |
| Safe access zones | Buffer zones around clinics are in force in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland |
| Statute | Abortion Act 1967; the underlying offence in the 1861 Act was never repealed |
| Two doctors | Two registered practitioners must certify that a ground is met |
| Pills at home | Taking both pills at home was made permanent in 2022 for early pregnancy |
| Decriminalisation | A 2025 Commons vote backed removing criminal liability for women ending their own pregnancy |
In practice
- Self-refer to an abortion provider — you do not need to see a GP first.
- A remote consultation is often enough for early medical abortion.
- Expect a dating scan where the gestation is uncertain.
- Contraception is offered at the same appointment, including long-acting methods.
- Self-refer to a provider rather than going through a GP: it is usually faster and equally free.
- If you are near the limit, say so when you call — providers triage by gestation.
Cost and coverage
Free on the NHS for residents, including through independent providers commissioned by the NHS.
Recent changes
The criminal law behind the 1967 Act remains, and Parliament has repeatedly debated removing women from criminal liability entirely. Check the current position before relying on older summaries.
Where to go
- BPAS, MSI Reproductive Choices and NUPAS — the main commissioned providers, self-referral by phone or online.
- NHS 111 for urgent advice.
- Sexual health clinics for contraception afterwards.
Worth knowing
Because two doctors' signatures are required, the process has a built-in delay. Book as early as you can: the difference between an early medical abortion at home and a surgical procedure is often a matter of days. Because the 1861 offence survives, the Act works as a defence rather than a right. That is what the recent reform debate is about.
The general article: Abortion · Compare with another country
Parents: a teenager’s first relationship
A young person judged competent can consent to contraception and sexual health care on their own, free of charge.
Under the principle established by the courts, a person under sixteen who is judged to understand the decision can consent to contraception and sexual health treatment without a parent, and the clinician is expected to keep it confidential. Sexual health services are free, and young people can attend a clinic directly without a referral. Emergency contraception is available free from many pharmacies and from sexual health clinics.
The governing idea in the UK is Gillick competence: a young person under sixteen who understands the advice and its implications can consent to contraception and sexual health care without a parent, and the clinician must judge that in the moment rather than apply an age. Contraception and testing are free on the NHS at any age, and confidentiality applies to under-sixteens as it does to adults, subject to safeguarding.
Key points
| Parental consent | Not required where the young person is judged competent to decide |
|---|---|
| Confidentiality | Owed to the young person, with a narrow exception where there is a safeguarding concern |
| Cost | Contraception and sexual health care are free |
| Emergency contraception | Free from many pharmacies and from clinics |
| Testing | Free, including postal self-test kits |
| Self-referral | You can go straight to a sexual health clinic |
| Age of consent | Sixteen across the United Kingdom |
In practice
- A sexual health clinic is the fastest route: free, confidential and no referral needed.
- No internal examination is needed to start contraception — do not let anyone suggest otherwise.
- Postal testing kits let a young person test without attending anywhere.
- If your daughter would rather talk to someone other than you, that is normal and the system expects it.
Cost and coverage
All sexual health care is free at the point of use.
Where to go
- Local sexual health clinic, free and self-referral.
- Community pharmacy, for emergency contraception.
- School nurse or GP.
- Brook and similar young people's services, free and confidential.
Worth knowing
Confidentiality applies against you as a parent. It is not aimed at families: it is what stops a frightened teenager from going without care altogether.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fifteen-year-old get contraception without their parents knowing?
Yes, if the clinician judges them competent to understand the decision. The clinician will encourage involving a parent but cannot require it, and the consultation is confidential. The exception is where there is a safeguarding concern — coercion, a large age gap, exploitation — which must be acted on.
Where can a young person go?
A GP, a sexual health or young people's clinic, or a pharmacy for emergency contraception, which is free at many pharmacies for under-twenty-fives depending on the area. Online services post testing kits discreetly. All of it is free on the NHS.
Sources
- Brook — free confidential sexual health services for under-25s
- NHS — sexual health — find a clinic, free testing and contraception
- Childline — 0800 1111 — free and confidential, for under-19s
The general article: Parents: a teenager’s first relationship · Compare with another country
Sexual orientation
Marriage equality across all four nations, strong discrimination law, and a conversion practices ban still not on the statute book.
Same-sex marriage became law in England and Wales in 2013, Scotland in 2014 and Northern Ireland in 2020. Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, which covers employment, housing, education and services. A ban on conversion practices has been promised by successive governments but has not yet been enacted. Blood donation rules were changed in 2021 to assess individual behaviour rather than the sex of partners.
The UK has marriage equality across all four nations — England and Wales from 2014, Scotland from 2014, Northern Ireland from 2020 by Westminster legislation — and the Equality Act 2010 covers sexual orientation and gender reassignment as protected characteristics in employment, services, education and housing. The unfinished item is a ban on conversion practices, promised by successive governments and still not on the statute book.
Key points
| Marriage | England and Wales 2013, Scotland 2014, Northern Ireland 2020 |
|---|---|
| Equality Act 2010 | Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic across employment, housing and services |
| Conversion practices | Repeatedly promised, not yet legislated |
| Hate crime | Aggravated sentencing where hostility to sexual orientation is shown |
| Blood donation | Individual risk assessment since 2021 |
| Gender recognition | Governed by the Gender Recognition Act 2004, with a panel process |
| Parenthood | Both partners can be named on the birth certificate for a child born to a female couple |
In practice
- Employment discrimination claims go to the employment tribunal, with a strict three-month time limit.
- Keep a written record of incidents, dates and witnesses: tribunal cases turn on contemporaneous notes.
- Charity helplines offer free confidential advice on rights and reporting.
- Hate incidents can be reported online without attending a police station.
Cost and coverage
Tribunal claims carry no fee; specialist legal advice is charged, though many charities advise free.
Recent changes
Legislation to ban conversion practices remains outstanding despite repeated commitments; gender recognition law has been the subject of divergence between Westminster and Holyrood and of significant litigation.
Where to go
- Equality Advisory and Support Service, for discrimination questions.
- National LGBT+ helplines, free and confidential.
- Citizens Advice, for employment and housing problems.
Worth knowing
The three-month limit on employment tribunal claims is the trap that catches most people. Start early conciliation before the deadline, even if you are still deciding whether to bring a claim.
Frequently asked questions
What protection does the Equality Act give?
It prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation because of sexual orientation or gender reassignment, in work, in the provision of goods and services, in education and in housing. Claims go to an employment tribunal or the county court, and the time limits are short — three months for employment.
Is conversion therapy banned in the UK?
Not yet. Successive governments have committed to legislation and it has repeatedly been delayed; some practices may already be caught by existing criminal and regulatory law, and professional bodies prohibit them. Scotland has consulted on its own legislation.
The general article: Sexual orientation · Compare with another country
Drugs and controlled substances
A three-class system dating from 1971, with penalties that depend on the class and on whether supply is involved.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 divides controlled drugs into Classes A, B and C. Possession of a Class A drug carries up to seven years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine; Class B up to five years; Class C up to two years. Supply or production carries up to life for Class A and up to fourteen years for Classes B and C. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 separately bans the production and supply of any substance capable of producing a psychoactive effect, without needing to schedule each molecule.
Cannabis is Class B. In practice a first offence of simple possession often results in a warning or a community resolution rather than a charge, but that is police discretion, not a legal entitlement, and it varies between forces.
Nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C drug in November 2023: possession for a psychoactive effect is now an offence, with up to two years for possession and up to fourteen years for supply.
Driving with a specified drug above a limit is a separate offence under section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, with limits set at very low levels for illicit drugs.
Synthetic cannabinoids are Class B and were among the reasons for the 2016 Act: scheduling them one by one had proved impossible.
Key points
| Main statute | Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 |
|---|---|
| Class A possession | Up to 7 years and an unlimited fine |
| Class B possession | Up to 5 years (cannabis, amphetamines, ketamine) |
| Class C possession | Up to 2 years (including nitrous oxide since November 2023) |
| Supply, Class A | Up to life imprisonment |
| Driving | Section 5A limits, very low for illicit drugs |
In practice
- FRANK gives confidential information and a service finder, on 0300 123 6600, around the clock.
- Local drug and alcohol services are free at the point of use and accept self-referral without a GP letter.
- Needle and syringe programmes and naloxone supply operate through pharmacies and outreach services.
Cost and coverage
Treatment through commissioned services is free. Fines are set by the court; an unlimited fine is possible for Class A possession.
Recent changes
Nitrous oxide control has changed the picture for young people, who were the main users; the reclassification was contested by the Government's own advisory council.
Where to go
- FRANK, 0300 123 6600, 24 hours.
- Local authority drug and alcohol services (self-referral).
- Turning Point, Change Grow Live and Via, service providers across England.
- Emergencies: 999; NHS 111 for advice.
Worth knowing
A caution or conviction for possession appears on an enhanced criminal record check and can affect employment, visas for the United States and Australia, and professional registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is cannabis decriminalised in the United Kingdom?
No. It is a Class B drug. A first simple possession is often dealt with out of court, but that is discretion, not a right.
Is nitrous oxide illegal?
Since November 2023 it is a Class C drug and possession for a psychoactive effect is an offence.
Is there a drink-drive style limit for drugs?
Yes, but the limits for illicit drugs are set at essentially zero-tolerance levels.
The general article: Drugs and controlled substances · Compare with another country
Alcohol and tobacco
Disposable vapes banned in 2025, and legislation designed to stop anyone born after 2008 ever buying tobacco.
The United Kingdom has moved towards the most restrictive tobacco policy of any large country. Disposable vapes were banned from sale in 2025 on environmental and youth-uptake grounds, and legislation has been brought forward to create a generational sales ban, under which the legal age rises every year so that people born after the start of 2009 could never legally be sold tobacco. Alcohol policy is devolved: Scotland and Wales apply minimum unit pricing, England does not.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and creates a rolling age of sale: anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to buy tobacco legally, with the first restrictions biting from 1 January 2027. Disposable vapes were banned from sale in June 2025 on environmental as much as health grounds. Alcohol remains at eighteen, with minimum unit pricing in Scotland and Wales but not in England.
Key points
| Legal age | 18 for both alcohol and tobacco |
|---|---|
| Generational ban | Legislation to prevent anyone born after the start of 2009 from ever being sold tobacco |
| Disposable vapes | Banned from sale in 2025 |
| Smoke-free | Indoor public places since 2006 and 2007 |
| Minimum unit pricing | In force in Scotland and Wales, not in England |
| Stop smoking services | Free local services, with vapes offered as a quitting aid in England |
| Guidance | No more than fourteen units of alcohol a week, spread over three days or more |
In practice
- Use a local stop smoking service: people who do are around three times more likely to quit.
- Nicotine replacement and prescription medicines are available free or at prescription cost through those services.
- Alcohol guidance is fourteen units a week for everyone, not a higher figure for men.
- Ask your GP about alcohol support: brief interventions in primary care work better than people expect.
Cost and coverage
Stop smoking services are free; medication is free or costs a prescription charge.
Recent changes
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. From 1 January 2027 the age of sale rises each year, so that no one born on or after 1 January 2009 can legally be sold tobacco. A retailer licensing scheme and new controls on vape marketing follow.
Where to go
- Local stop smoking services, free and self-referral.
- Drinkline and NHS alcohol services.
- GP practices for brief alcohol interventions.
Worth knowing
Quitting unaided succeeds in a small minority of attempts. Combining a stop smoking service with medication or a vape is the single biggest improvement available.
Frequently asked questions
What does the generational tobacco ban actually do?
It raises the legal age of sale by one year every year from 2027, so that the 2009 cohort and everyone younger never reaches a legal purchasing age. Nothing changes for people born before 2009. Retailers will operate under a licensing scheme, and enforcement falls to trading standards.
Are vapes still legal in the UK?
Refillable devices are, with an age limit of eighteen. Single-use disposables have been banned from sale since June 2025, and the 2026 Act adds powers over flavours, packaging and display. Nicotine pouches are now also age-restricted.
The general article: Alcohol and tobacco · Compare with another country
General sources
- GOV.UK — official portal for public services and rights
- legislation.gov.uk — the statute book as enacted and revised