We are deeply concerned about a recent report published by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls condemning all forms of surrogacy. The report is flawed, pushing an ideological view which ignores submissions from global surrogacy professionals, as well as decades of credible academic research. While it is the view of one advisor (and not a statement by or on behalf of the United Nations) it has already received significant international attention, and now several MPs in the UK Parliament have table an Early Day Motion endorsing it and calling for the prohibition of surrogacy.

We urgently need your help to stop the spread of this misinformation about surrogacy by writing to your MP to share your experience. To help you, we have set out some suggested wording below, but heartfelt personal messages always carry the most weight so please do adapt and make it your own.

If you get a positive response from a supportive MP, please let us know. We are also happy to speak to them if it would be helpful.

Thank you

Dear Mr/Ms [Find your MP’s name and email address here]

Concern about misinformation being spread in Parliament about surrogacy

I am one of your constituents and am writing to express my concern about the UN Special Rapporteur’s misleading report condemning all forms of surrogacy, and the Early Day Motion which has now been tabled in Parliament endorsing it (see UN Special Rapporteur Report on Violence Against Women and Girls in the context of surrogacy – Early Day Motions – UK Parliament). Contrary to the one-sided views asserted in the report, surrogacy is not exploitative or damaging when managed responsibly, which it is in the overwhelming majority of cases.

I am [surrogate/a parent through surrogacy/professional etc]. Please give information about your background, experience of surrogacy etc.

The report entirely ignores the extensive and longstanding research evidence of good outcomes for women who act as surrogates, and for children born through surrogacy (see: Research about surrogacy – Brilliant Beginnings). This chimes with my personal experience of surrogacy, which is [please give further detail of your good experience of surrogacy with as much information as you can].

Surrogacy is never an easy path nor one taken lightly. Parents through surrogacy typically have histories of repeated baby loss, cancer survival or gruelling years of unsuccessful fertility treatment. Others are single or in same-sex relationships and have planned becoming parents for many years. Meanwhile, surrogates choose to carry a pregnancy for someone else, and gain huge fulfilment from making families that would otherwise never exist possible. When managed properly, surrogacy is a wonderful heart-warming story of human collaboration which leads to the birth of much-loved children. It creates, not just parents, but also siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Surrogacy has always been legal in the UK, and has long been accepted by the UK government as a legitimate form of family building. The Law Commission’s 2023 report (which followed an extensive five year review) recommended progressive updating changes to the law which dates from the 1980s, although these have stalled because the government has other legislative priorities.

I am very concerned that, after more than 30 years of progress, surrogacy is now under attack and am writing to ask for your support. Any regressive legal changes could cause significant harm to families, women and children, and are not supported by the evidence. The worrying spread of misinformation will also increase stigma and impact significantly on the wellbeing of children born through surrogacy.

Please would you consider:

• Writing to the Minister responsible (Baroness Merron at the Department of Health and Social Care) communicating your support for surrogacy and progressive law reform
• Submitting a Parliamentary Question asking when UK law on surrogacy will be brought up to date to better safeguard families, women and children and to ensure accessibility to surrogacy in the UK

I enclose a Parliamentary briefing document prepared by NGA Law (leading UK surrogacy law firm) and Brilliant Beginnings (non-profit UK surrogacy organisation) with further information.

I would be very happy to come and see you to speak to you in more detail about this issue if that would be helpful.

Best wishes