A record number of women in England and Wales had an abortion last year, and numbers rose sharply among women aged 30 and over. Fewer teenagers are undergoing a termination. A total of 207,384 procedures were carried out, official figures show, the highest number in a year since the historic vote in 1967 to legalise abortion in Britain through the Abortion Act.
“These abortion statistics continue to present an increasing and terrible human tragedy,” responded Bishop John Sherrington, auxiliary in Westminster and lead Catholic bishop for life issues. He said: “The mission of the Church and all who share our views continues to be to promote a culture of life centred on the dignity of every human life at all stages and in every condition, to support pregnant women, and to pray for those lives lost due to abortion and the women and men who live with the emotional and spiritual scars of abortion.”
He questioned English and Welsh law that permits abortion up to birth of children with disabilities, noting that 656 babies with Down’s syndrome were aborted in 2019.
Antonia Tully, director of campaigns at the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, described the figures as “a national tragedy”. She was critical of “propaganda telling women that abortion is ‘simple and safe’, coupled with easier access to abortion pills”.
Liz Parsons, Life’s director of advocacy, said, “I am shocked but sadly not surprised that for the second year in a row we have seen a substantial increase in the number of abortions taking place.” She added: “At Life, we represent thousands of women who want to explore alternative options to abortion and we are seeing increasing numbers of women coming to us for help and support during an unplanned pregnancy or if they are suffering the negative effects of abortions.”
Elizabeth Parsons of Life offers a reflection on the latest abortion figures.
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