The reliability of the official figures has been challenged by pro-life campaigners as the statistics have been taken from inaccurately recorded abortion consent forms and in some cases the forms have been completed without the doctor ever seeing the woman face-to-face.
“The horror of abortion continues to rise and it is essential that the church and Christian people speak out about the continuing destruction of human life,“ says Andrea Williams of Christian Concern.
“We simply cannot trust these figures because the Department of Health itself has admitted that doctors are routinely breaking the law by failing to record accurately the reasons for abortions they approve, especially on babies with Down’s Syndrome, and by pre-signing forms.”
“The government likes to highlight groups in which the rate of abortion might have fallen but does not for instance highlight the huge increase in repeat abortions – a 45% rise – in the number of terminations for women over 25. This is abortion being used as a method of contraception.”
The All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group has also issued a statement questioning the validity of the statistics. It notes in particular that the DoH report does not consider the issues of gender selection abortions, repeat abortions or the discrimination inherent in the provision of abortion on the grounds of foetal abnormality.
Read the APPG's statement here >
Read the Department of Health's report on abortion statistics for 2013 here >
For coverage of the story by the Telegraph click here >
Down's syndrome abortions missing from government statistics
Last week, it was also revealed that more than half of all abortions performed on the basis of Down’s syndrome were omitted from government figures due to poor-record keeping by doctors. Read more >
Abortion Act 1967 (Amendment) Bill
Last Thursday (12 June) the Abortion Act 1967 (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords by the Independent Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Tonge. The Bill seeks to amend the Abortion Act 1967 to allow for the abortions following certification by one registered medical practitioner only.
New government guidance
Last week, the UK Government published new guidelines allowing nurses and midwives to play a central role in the provision of abortion. The move has attracted strong criticism from MP's for being a “clear liberalisation” of abortion law in the UK. Read more here >