Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Number of women having an abortion reaches record high in England and Wales amid economic uncertainty

The increase in the abortion rate was most pronounced among 30- to 34-year-old women.

Number of women having an abortion reaches record high in England and Wales amid economic uncertainty

THE latest annual abortion statistics report has revealed that a record number of abortions took place in England and Wales last year, according to a report. 

There were 214,869 terminations in 2021, the highest number since the procedure became legal in Great Britain through the 1967 Abortion Act.


Almost nine in 10 abortions were induced by taking tablets, with more than half of women able to take both tablets at home, reported The Guardian.

Clare Murphy, the chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), a major abortion provider, has said that the pandemic, and the policies adopted by the government in response, have had a clear impact on women’s pregnancy choices.

“Faced with economic uncertainty and job insecurity, women and their partners have been making sometimes tough decisions around continuing or ending a pregnancy," Murphy was quoted as saying by The Guardian

According to the report, the abortion rate was highest among 22-year-old women, at 31 per 1,000. It was the highest in the north-west at 22 per 1,000 women aged 15-44, and lowest in the south-west at 15.4 per 1,000 women aged 15-44.

The report added that 99 per cent of abortions were NHS-funded, though private providers performed 77 per cent of them. Besides, 161 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England or Wales for an abortion last year, even though the procedure was decriminalised there in 2019.

The increase in the abortion rate was most pronounced among 30- to 34-year-old women. Over the last decade, it has risen significantly from 17.2 per 1,000 in 2011 to 22.1 per 1,000 last year.

However, rates are stable among women aged 35 and over, and are going down among under-18s. Four-fifths (82 per cent) of those having an abortion gave their marital status as single, although 49 per cent said they were single but had a partner.

Growing numbers of women having a termination were already mothers – 57 per cent in 2021, up from 51 per cent in 2011.

“The data shows abortion is an essential choice, and with continuing problems accessing contraception coupled with the cost of living crisis, we would not be surprised to see greater demand over the coming months," Jonathan Lord, the medical director of MSI Reproductive Choices, told the newspaper.

The figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care also showed that almost nine in 10 (87 per cent) abortions were medically induced, by the woman taking two tablets, and that a similar proportion (89 per cent) took place before 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Due to the “pills by post” medical abortion scheme, brought in by the NHS in response to Covid, more than half (52 per cent) of women were able to take both tablets at home rather than one at a medical facility.

While Wales decided to make that scheme permanent, ministers only agreed to do the same in England after a revolt by MPs in a free vote on the issue in March.

According to the report, some terminations were happening because the foetus had a birth defect, such as spina bifida or anencephaly, which may have been prevented if the government had ensured flour was routinely fortified with folic acid.

Ministers promised last September to introduce mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour for that reason, a policy used in Australia, Canada and other countries. However, nothing has yet changed because the plan is subject to public consultation.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said that ensuring women can access abortion services in a safe, secure way remains a priority.

The government will publish a sexual and reproductive health action plan later this year, the spokesperson added.

More For You

modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less