UK surrogacy law ‘creaking at seams’ as demand rises sharply
The News
The Guardian reports that UK surrogacy laws are outdated and demand has surged, with nearly 1,000 surrogate births in 2025—double the number in 2015. Experts attribute the rise to more gay couples, infertility, and cultural shifts, and call for legislative reform to prevent intended parents from seeking riskier options abroad.
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The Analysis
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Surrogates, parents, and children are being failed by UK's archaic laws
Experts urge ministers to update legislation to prevent intended parents from resorting to riskier arrangements abroad.
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Key findings
The rise in surrogacy is driven by an increase in gay couples seeking parenthood, infertility, and shifting cultural attitudes.
The Guardian- Surrogates, parents, and children are being failed by UK's archaic laws
- Riskier arrangements abroad may harm intended parents and children
Plain English
Loaded language removed<p>Experts urge ministers to update legislation to prevent intended parents resorting to riskier arrangements abroad</p><p>Surrogates, parents and children are being failed by the UK’s archaic laws, which are “creaking at the seams” as demand for surrogacy grows rapidly, experts have said.</p><p>Figures obtained by the Guardian show there were just under 1,000 children born to surrogates in 2025, double the number in 2015.
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Claims
The rise in surrogacy is driven by an increase in gay couples seeking parenthood, infertility, and shifting cultural attitudes.
The GuardianUK surrogacy laws are archaic and failing surrogates, parents, and children.
OpinionExperts urge ministers to update legislation to prevent intended parents from resorting to riskier arrangements abroad.
The GuardianThere were just under 1,000 children born to surrogates in the UK in 2025.
The GuardianThe number of children born to surrogates in 2025 is double the number in 2015.
The Guardian