UK surrogacy law stuck at 40 years old as births double and reform stalls

The UK government postponed surrogacy reform in 2025 despite accepting the Law Commission's 2023 recommendations. Under current 40-year-old law, the surrogate remains the legal mother at birth; intended parents must apply for a parental order that can take months. Prof Gillian Black cited cases where a child's hospital treatment required the surrogate's consent. Review author Prof Nicholas Hopkins warned delays push parents toward riskier overseas arrangements.