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| Abortion numbers increase again | Abortion numbers increase again |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of abortions carried out in England and Wales rose by 3.9% to 193,700 in 2006. | The number of abortions carried out in England and Wales rose by 3.9% to 193,700 in 2006. |
| There was also a rise in the under-16 abortion rate, to 3.9 per 1,000 women, and among under-18s to 18.2 per 1,000. | There was also a rise in the under-16 abortion rate, to 3.9 per 1,000 women, and among under-18s to 18.2 per 1,000. |
| Abortion has been increasing since it was legalised 40 years ago - there were 22,000 legal terminations in 1968. | Abortion has been increasing since it was legalised 40 years ago - there were 22,000 legal terminations in 1968. |
| The Royal College of Obstetricians said the rise was "disappointing" and showed a failure to deal with the problem of unplanned pregnancies. | The Royal College of Obstetricians said the rise was "disappointing" and showed a failure to deal with the problem of unplanned pregnancies. |
| The abortion rate was highest, at 35 per 1,000, for women aged 19. | The abortion rate was highest, at 35 per 1,000, for women aged 19. |
| A rise in the number of abortions is not the problem in itself - the real problem is the number of woman experiencing unintended pregnancy Ann FurediBritish Pregnancy Advisory Service Abortion: An emotive issue | A rise in the number of abortions is not the problem in itself - the real problem is the number of woman experiencing unintended pregnancy Ann FurediBritish Pregnancy Advisory Service Abortion: An emotive issue |
| Three out of ten terminations were carried out using an "abortion pill" - up from 24% of the total in 2005. | Three out of ten terminations were carried out using an "abortion pill" - up from 24% of the total in 2005. |
| Some 89% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation, with 68% carried out in the first ten weeks of a pregnancy. | Some 89% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation, with 68% carried out in the first ten weeks of a pregnancy. |
| Two thousands abortions - 1% of the total - were carried out on the grounds that the child would be born disabled. | Two thousands abortions - 1% of the total - were carried out on the grounds that the child would be born disabled. |
| Early access | Early access |
| Health Minister Caroline Flint said: "We welcome the fact that a higher percentage of abortions are taking place at an early stage - almost two-thirds under 10 weeks gestation and most under 13 weeks. | |
| "It is important that women have early access to abortion services as the earlier the abortion, the lower the risk of complications. | |
| "However, the NHS needs to work harder to reduce the demand for abortions by improving access to contraception." | "However, the NHS needs to work harder to reduce the demand for abortions by improving access to contraception." |
| Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Assocation said the rise in abortions was not surprising, as contraceptive services were "in crisis". | Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Assocation said the rise in abortions was not surprising, as contraceptive services were "in crisis". |
| She said: "Services are being cut and clinics are closing up and down the country. | She said: "Services are being cut and clinics are closing up and down the country. |
| "In England, the average amount spent on each woman's contraception is about £11. | "In England, the average amount spent on each woman's contraception is about £11. |
| "Some Primary Care Trusts have admitted they spend just 18 pence. | |
| "This is unbelievable and wouldn't be tolerated if it happened in another part of healthcare." | |
| Government blamed | Government blamed |
| The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said government policy to cut waiting lists had promoted fast-track abortion, and made doctors reluctant to refer women for counselling. | The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said government policy to cut waiting lists had promoted fast-track abortion, and made doctors reluctant to refer women for counselling. |
| Paul Tully, SPUC general secretary, said: "Without positive support an abortion can seem unavoidable - but may be bitterly regretted later on. | Paul Tully, SPUC general secretary, said: "Without positive support an abortion can seem unavoidable - but may be bitterly regretted later on. |
| "The government's approach of promoting early abortion is increasing the overall number of abortions. | "The government's approach of promoting early abortion is increasing the overall number of abortions. |
| "Gordon Brown should end the Labour Government's policy of rushing women as quickly as possible through the abortion mill in its frenzy to cut waiting times." | "Gordon Brown should end the Labour Government's policy of rushing women as quickly as possible through the abortion mill in its frenzy to cut waiting times." |
| Mr Tully also called for measures to stop teenagers being allowed to have abortions without the knowledge of their parents. | Mr Tully also called for measures to stop teenagers being allowed to have abortions without the knowledge of their parents. |
| Attitudes changing | Attitudes changing |
| Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which provides contraception and abortion services, said: "Increasingly, women expect to be able to plan their families, and they cannot do this through contraception alone. | Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which provides contraception and abortion services, said: "Increasingly, women expect to be able to plan their families, and they cannot do this through contraception alone. |
| "Contraception sometimes fails and sometimes we fail to use it properly. | "Contraception sometimes fails and sometimes we fail to use it properly. |
| "Women will always need the option of abortion if their usual birth control has let them down." | "Women will always need the option of abortion if their usual birth control has let them down." |
| Ms Furedi said social attitudes to abortion were also changing, with more people understanding that becoming a parent was a significant social resonsibility that not everybody was in a position to accept. | Ms Furedi said social attitudes to abortion were also changing, with more people understanding that becoming a parent was a significant social resonsibility that not everybody was in a position to accept. |
| "A rise in the number of abortions is not the problem in itself - the real problem is the number of woman experiencing unintended pregnancy. | "A rise in the number of abortions is not the problem in itself - the real problem is the number of woman experiencing unintended pregnancy. |
| "For some of these, abortion will be the solution to the very serious problem of being faced with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy." | "For some of these, abortion will be the solution to the very serious problem of being faced with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy." |