The number of abortions which took place in England and Wales during 2020 is the “highest since records began”, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. The figures, which were released today, reveal that 210,860 unborn children were killed by abortion during 2020. This is the highest number of abortions since the 1967 Abortion Act was introduced.
Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “We are looking at a national tragedy here. This catastrophic figure shows us that abortion is becoming more and more normalised. Propaganda telling women that abortion is ‘simple and safe’ coupled with easier access to abortion drugs is driving up abortion numbers.”
The breakdown
The 2020 abortions statistics for England and Wales reveal that:
- 210,860 abortions were reported in England and Wales in 2020, the highest since records began.
- DIY home abortion has become the most common method of abortion.
- 85% of unborn babies were killed by chemical abortion, where the mother takes abortion drugs.
- 229 unborn babies were killed in late term abortions past 24 weeks’ gestation.
- 810 unborn babies were injected with lethal drugs to stop their heartbeat.
- 3,083 unborn babies were killed by abortion following diagnosis of a suspected disability.
- 65 unborn babies were killed by selective abortion, where the mother is carrying more than one baby.
- The number of complications resulting from surgical abortions has increased from 2019.
- Complications resulting from DIY home abortion were “less likely” to be recorded.
- The abortion rate in 2020 was highest for women aged 21 (at 30.6 per 1,000 women).
- 42% of women undergoing abortions had had one or more previous abortions.
- Women from the most deprived areas were twice as likely to have an abortion compared to women from the least deprived areas.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson added: “Behind each of these figures lies a dead baby and a mother who lost her child to abortion.”
Disturbing government measures
The latest figures mean that a total of 214, 675 abortions were carried out in the Great Britain during 2020. Scotland’s abortion figures were released earlier this year.
During March 2020, DIY home abortion regulations were implemented by the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Women can get chemical abortion drugs following a phone or video call. They then perform their own abortion at home with no medical supervision or support.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “This year’s figures show a devastating surge in abortion numbers. The statistics reveal a catastrophic loss of unborn life arising from the Government’s dangerous policy on abortion.
“At SPUC we have always said that DIY home abortion is detrimental to the mental and physical well-being of women in our country. Women should not be facing the mental anguish that accompanies DIY abortions, nor any abortion for that matter.
“SPUC is calling on the Health Secretary to reverse their dangerous DIY home abortion policy as a first step to ending all abortion and restoring full protection to mothers and their unborn children.”
If you, or anyone you know has been affected by abortion, please contact the Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (ARCH) for free, non-judgemental, confidential support: 0345 603 8501 or info@archtrust.org.uk.