Statistics published by the Department of Health (DoH) yesterday showed an increase in the number of abortions carried out in the UK in 2010 compared to 2009.
The report covers the past decade and reveals the extent and reasons for abortions in Britain which many pro-life advocates will find distressing.
The figures show that abortion rates remain high without any sign of diminishing. There were 189,574 abortions in 2010 for UK residents, an increase of 0.3% on the previous year and an 8.0% increase since 2000.
There were also 6,535 abortions for non-UK residents, making the total number of abortions 196,109 for the year 2010.
The combined figures put the average number of abortions at more than 195,000 per year over the last 10 years. This is well over 500 abortions every day of the year.
The report reveals that 96% of abortions were funded by the NHS, compared with 47% in the years prior to 1990.
According to the DoH 99.96% of abortions were carried out on the basis of risk to the mother’s mental health. In a press release issued yesterday, the ProLife Alliance said: “On this basis, looking back over the decades since 1967, millions of abortions have been carried out in the UK, not because of life-threatening conditions involving the baby, not because of serious physical conditions involving the mother, but to ensure the mental health of the mother.
“Are there honestly such colossal maternal mental health problems in the United Kingdom, or is it the case that abortion is now virtually on demand?”
The report also contains figures on the number of ‘ground E’ abortions; those where there is a risk that the child will be born handicapped. There were 2,290 (1%) ground E abortions in 2010.
In response to the DoH report, Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The report raises serious questions about whether or not we value children in our society. The figures show that abortion is now so commonplace that, far from being a last resort, it is often the first port of call. We are sacrificing our children on the altar of convenience.
“The figures must come down. Women need to have access to information that tells them about the alternatives to abortion; there are other ways out. Many women who considered having an abortion but ended up giving birth to the child can testify to the joy that that child has brought to them and others.
“As a society we must begin again to value children rather than treating them as dispensable. The government has a massive responsibility to address the huge numbers of babies whose lives are ended prematurely each year.”
Frank Field MP and Nadine Dorries MP recently proposed an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill, which would ensure that women have access to impartial information and counselling when thinking of having an abortion. For more information visit the Right to Know website.
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