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Abortion increase in young girls Abortion increase in young girls
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The number of abortions among girls aged under 14 rose by 21% to 163 in 2007 official figures for England and Wales show. The number of abortions among girls aged under 14 rose by 21% to 163 in 2007, official figures for England and Wales show.
In the under 16s, the number of abortions rose by 10% - from 3,990 in 2006 to 4,376 in 2007.In the under 16s, the number of abortions rose by 10% - from 3,990 in 2006 to 4,376 in 2007.
The number of abortions in all women rose by 2.5%.The number of abortions in all women rose by 2.5%.
Government advisors called for high quality sex education at school and investment in contraception services for young people. Government advisers called for high quality sex education at school and investment in contraception services for young people.
Scotland has also seen a rise in the number of abortions with figures published in May showing there were 13,703 carried out in 2007 compared with 13,163 in 2006.Scotland has also seen a rise in the number of abortions with figures published in May showing there were 13,703 carried out in 2007 compared with 13,163 in 2006.
The number of abortions carried out has been rising ever since the 1967 Abortion Act - with just over 22,000 terminations in the first year.The number of abortions carried out has been rising ever since the 1967 Abortion Act - with just over 22,000 terminations in the first year.
Some 90% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation and 70% were at under 10 weeks, a slight increase on last years' figures. Some 90% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks' gestation and 70% were at under 10 weeks, a slight increase on last year's figures.
A total of 198,499 abortions were carried out in 2007 with highest abortion rate in women aged 19 years. A total of 198,499 abortions was carried out in 2007 with the highest abortion rate in women aged 19 years.
The number of terminations carried out using the "abortion pill" was 35% up from 30% in 2006.The number of terminations carried out using the "abortion pill" was 35% up from 30% in 2006.
Around 1% or abortions were carried out on the grounds that the child would be born disabled. Around 1% of abortions were carried out on the grounds that the child would be born disabled.
EducationEducation
Gill Frances OBE, chair of Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said: "We know what works to reduce abortion amongst teenagers. Gill Frances, chair of Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said: "We know what works to reduce abortion amongst teenagers.
"We need high quality sex and relationships education at school and at home and effective contraception."We need high quality sex and relationships education at school and at home and effective contraception.
"Primary Care Trusts must ensure they are investing in contraceptive services for young people.""Primary Care Trusts must ensure they are investing in contraceptive services for young people."
She added that PCTs had been given £13million to improve contraceptive services, but many of them have been unable to locate the money which was not ring-fenced. She added that PCTs had been given £13m to improve contraceptive services, but many of them had been unable to locate the money, which had not been ring-fenced.
Health minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures showed considerable progress in reducing waiting times for abortion with two-thirds of women now having a termination at under 10 weeks. Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures showed considerable progress in reducing waiting times for abortion, with two-thirds of women now having a termination at under 10 weeks.
She added: "Contraception plays a vital role in preventing teenage pregnancy and earlier this year I announced a further investment of £26.8 million to improve women' access to contraception and help reduce the number of abortions, repeat abortions and teenage pregnancies." She added: "Contraception plays a vital role in preventing teenage pregnancy and earlier this year I announced a further investment of £26.8m to improve women's access to contraception and help reduce the number of abortions, repeat abortions and teenage pregnancies."