The death penalty in the UK was effectively abolished for murder in 1965, but was not fully abolished for all crimes until 1998.

Key dates at a glance

  • 1965: The Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act suspended the death penalty for murder in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland), replacing it with mandatory life imprisonment.
  • 1969: Parliament made this abolition for murder permanent in Great Britain.
  • 1973: Northern Ireland abolished the death penalty for murder, bringing the whole UK into line on that point.
  • 1998: The death penalty was abolished for the remaining offences (such as high treason and piracy with violence), making the UK completely death‑penalty‑free in law.

So if you mean “for murder”, the answer is 1965; if you mean “for any crime at all”, the answer is 1998.