The event - that aimed to raise awareness of the campaign calling for reform of the UK's surrogacy laws - was sponsored by Layla Moran MP, Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon and Chair of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee. It brought together surrogates, intended parents, parents whose child was born through surrogacy, and campaign supporters to meet with MPs and members of the House of Lords and discuss the need for legislative change.
Parliamentary drop-in events are an effective way of building awareness, understanding and support for policy reform. They provide a convenient and informal opportunity for parliamentarians to engage directly with an issue, hear from experts and people with lived experience, and ask questions in a way that fits around busy parliamentary schedules. They are particularly valuable in bringing complex policy issues to life, helping decision-makers better understand how current laws affect individuals and families.
By creating opportunities for open dialogue and providing accessible evidence, these events can help increase understanding, challenge misconceptions and build support among parliamentarians who may go on to champion an issue in Parliament and engage with future policy proposals.
The event attracted more than 15 parliamentarians and members of their staff from across the political spectrum. Attendees included Lee Pitcher MP (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme), Gordon McKee MP (Glasgow South), Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green), Claire Hazelgrove MP (Filton and Bradley Stoke), Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP (Wetherby and Easingwold) and Baroness Geeta Nargund.
A key aim of the event was to ensure parliamentarians heard directly from people whose lives have been affected by the current law. One parent, whose five-month-old son was born through surrogacy, described the challenges his family faced:
“When he [his son] was 10-days old he ended up in hospital and we were in a really difficult situation in that his wonderful surrogate had to sit by the phone for so long in case they needed to authorise some treatment that he needed in life-or-death moments in Great Ormond Street on a ventilator… and we just feel the law could be so much better to protect surrogates, to protect babies and parents.”
Hazel, who acted as a surrogate, attended the event to share her experience with MPs and Peers and explain the positive impact surrogacy can have on families:
“Making my friends parents has been one of the most amazing things I’ve done with my life and it’s so great to get our stories out there.”
Professor Horsey has been working with SurrogacyUK's Working Group on surrogacy law reform since 2014. She recently authored a third policy report, Surrogacy in the UK: Myth Busting and Reform – 10 Years On, for the group continuing to highlight how the current legal framework is no longer fit for purpose. She has also met with Siân Berry MP (Brighton Pavilion) to discuss the case for reform, following which Ms Berry submitted written questions to the Government on the issue.
Sarah Jones, Chief Executive Officer of SurrogacyUK, outlined the organisation's priorities for reform:
“So for me the legal reform that concentrates on safeguarding, putting checks and measures in place for everybody going through surrogacy is a really good thing and would make surrogacy safer in the UK.”
Loughborough University's Policy Unit has been supporting Professor Horsey's engagement with parliamentarians, helping to raise awareness of the campaign and the evidence underpinning the case for reform.
Commenting on the event, Professor Horsey said:
“In all my years of research in this area, I have seen growing evidence that the current legal framework for surrogacy is outdated and can create avoidable difficulties for the families it is intended to support. Reforming the law offers an opportunity to create a clearer, safer and more effective system for everyone involved. It was encouraging to see so many parliamentarians engage with the event and hear directly from surrogates and parents, helping to increase awareness and understanding of why reform is needed.”