Dame Caroline Dinenage MP has today introduced legislation to Parliament calling for an update to the UK’s outdated fertility laws.
Caroline’s Bill seeks to update the 35-year-old Human Fertility and Embryology Act 1990 to bring online fertility services and digital concierge providers under proper regulatory oversight. It is called the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Regulation) Bill.
The devastating closure of online fertility hub Apricity Fertility just days before Christmas, which left hundreds of patients in limbo at crucial points in their fertility treatment, underscored the need for legislation. The company operated as an unlicensed online clinic, connecting patients with partner clinics but falling outside the regulatory framework designed to protect vulnerable families as it didn’t conduct treatment itself.
More than 52,000 people accessed fertility treatment in 2023 - up from just 6,000 in 1991 - with the fertility market increasingly moving online into settings outside the regulated scheme. Despite this massive growth and transformation, the governing legislation has remained largely unchanged since 1990.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which is the fertility regulator, has repeatedly flagged concerns about activities marketed as fertility treatments taking place outside licensed clinics, including in 'wellness' clinics and online platforms.
With the vast majority of treatments (73%) funded privately, Caroline highlighted that Apricity was unlikely to be a unique case. Her Bill aimed to satisfy one of the HFEA’s 2023 Recommendations to the Government.
Her Bill secured the backing of 11 co-sponsoring MPs from across the political spectrum, with support from Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and DUP colleagues. The legislation will receive its Second Reading on 12 September.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Dame Caroline said:
"This is a classic case of regulation just not keeping pace with modern life. It is criminal that organisations that are in the business of making dreams come true can just disappear, along with people's money and their hopes of starting a family.
“I urge Ministers and Members across the House to support my Bill, to bring in the recommendations of the HFEA and to support women and families at one of the most important stages of their lives.”
ENDS
For more information contact [email protected]
You can watch Caroline’s speech at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/62cea3b2-5267-4a91-b8a4-8cc8dd9a79b8?in=14:03:35
You can read Caroline’s speech at https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-07-15/debates/EB46E21B-5D27-4AA6-BB5F-47A171546E1D/HumanFertilisationAndEmbryology(Regulation)
