Abortion numbers down in 2009

The number of abortions carried out in the UK decreased in the last year in figures according to the Department of Health (DoH).

New DoH figures reveal that the total number of abortions in England and Wales in 2009 stood at 189,100, compared to 195,296 the year before.

Of these, around 40 per cent were for medical reasons, while one per cent were conducted because of a risk the baby would be born handicapped.

The DoH said the abortion rate was highest at 33 per 1,000 for women aged between 19 and 21, while the under-16 abortion rate was four in 1,000 and the under-18 rate was 17.6 per 1,000 women, both lower than in 2008.

Around 91 per cent of abortions carried out were under 13 weeks gestation, the DoH added.

This comes in the same week that sexual health specialist Marie Stopes International aired the first ever UK TV advertisement for abortion services, which was met with disapproval from pro-life groups.