Britain Could See Highest Abortion Total in 40 Years When New Data Released

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 17, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Britain Could See Highest Abortion Total in 40 Years When New Data Released

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 17
, 2008

London, England (LifeNews.com) — When the British government releases its next set of national abortion figures, the numbers, which will cover 2007, are expected to be higher than in 2006, which saw an increase. The statistics will likely show another year of more than 200,000 abortions despite heavy spending on promoting contraception.

The figures will also come after the British Parliament voted against more limits on late-term abortions and unlimited abortions will flourish further when MPs vote to remove the two-doctor requirement for an abortion.

The data is leading pro-life advocates to say the U.K. is quickly becoming the abortion capital of Europe.

"We are horrified at what the figures are at the moment," Ian Lucas, director of the Passion 4 Life campaign, told the London Telegraph.
"It looks likely that they will show another increase which will be another record high," he added. "If there is any more liberalization of the law it is likely the numbers will go up again, which would be a complete tragedy."

There were 201,173 abortions in England and Wales during 2006, according to the British Health Department, an increase of four percent over 2005. With preliminary figures from the first nine months of 2007 showing 500 more abortions than in 2006, the number continues to rise.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, also talked with the Telegraph newspaper and said that his party, if given control of the government, would work to drive down the abortion numbers.

"These figures are truly shocking and expose the Government’s failed strategy in trying to reduce abortions," he said.

"Sex education needs to be improved as well as access to contraception. New alternatives to abortion also need to be explored more fully," he added. "Britain has one of the highest abortion rates in Europe which many see as a national tragedy."