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19/06/2008
Figures Show Abortion Increase In Teenage Girls
New figures published today have shown a rise in abortions among young girls.
The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007.
The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007.
In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
Gill Frances, Chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group says that there is a need for "high quality sex and relationship education at school at at home and effective contraception".
It is understood that Primary Care Trusts have been given £13 million to improve contraceptive services.
Figures published last June revealed a 4% rise in all abortions between 2005 and 2006.
There were 193,737 abortions in England and Wales in 2006, up from 186,416 in 2005.
Last month MP's dismissed proposed changes to abortion law to keep the time limit for abortion at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks.
Life charity spokeswoman Joanne Hill said on the result: "Life is dismayed that MPs have failed to respond to overwhelming public support for a tightening of the abortion law, and asks how can we, as a compassionate society, continue to allow the abortion of babies that we can see are fully human?"
Ian Lucas, Co-ordinator of the Passion 4 Life campaign, said: "We are horrified at what the figures are at the moment.
"It looks likely that they will show another increase which will be another record high.
"If there is any more liberalisation of the law it is likely the numbers will go up again, which would be a complete tragedy"
However, Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Centre (BPAS) said that "unintended pregnancy still remains a significant public health problem".
"Every form of contraception has a failure rate and sometimes couples can fail to use contraception properly.
"Women are then faced with a difficult decision about a pregnancy need the option of accessible abortion care available to them as early as possible - and as late as necessary," she said.
Ms Furedi added that she hopes MPs will "recognise the importance for individual women and society of creating a more fit-for-purpose abortion law".
The British abortion law has never been extended to Northern Ireland. The Abortion Rights Campaign say "it is time women there had their own rights to abortion".
In the Abortion Rights' March 2007 opinion poll, 72% said it was not acceptable for a woman who had been referred for an abortion to have to wait beyond three weeks for the procedure.
It is reported that there have been almost seven million abortions since 1967. Currently there are up to 200,000 a year.
See: MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
(DS)
The Department of Health has released statistics revealing how many women had abortions in 2007.
The number of abortions among girls aged under 16 rose by 10% to 4,376 in 2007.
In the under 14s, abortions rose by 21% from 135 in 2006 to 163 in 2006.
Gill Frances, Chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group says that there is a need for "high quality sex and relationship education at school at at home and effective contraception".
It is understood that Primary Care Trusts have been given £13 million to improve contraceptive services.
Figures published last June revealed a 4% rise in all abortions between 2005 and 2006.
There were 193,737 abortions in England and Wales in 2006, up from 186,416 in 2005.
Last month MP's dismissed proposed changes to abortion law to keep the time limit for abortion at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks.
Life charity spokeswoman Joanne Hill said on the result: "Life is dismayed that MPs have failed to respond to overwhelming public support for a tightening of the abortion law, and asks how can we, as a compassionate society, continue to allow the abortion of babies that we can see are fully human?"
Ian Lucas, Co-ordinator of the Passion 4 Life campaign, said: "We are horrified at what the figures are at the moment.
"It looks likely that they will show another increase which will be another record high.
"If there is any more liberalisation of the law it is likely the numbers will go up again, which would be a complete tragedy"
However, Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Centre (BPAS) said that "unintended pregnancy still remains a significant public health problem".
"Every form of contraception has a failure rate and sometimes couples can fail to use contraception properly.
"Women are then faced with a difficult decision about a pregnancy need the option of accessible abortion care available to them as early as possible - and as late as necessary," she said.
Ms Furedi added that she hopes MPs will "recognise the importance for individual women and society of creating a more fit-for-purpose abortion law".
The British abortion law has never been extended to Northern Ireland. The Abortion Rights Campaign say "it is time women there had their own rights to abortion".
In the Abortion Rights' March 2007 opinion poll, 72% said it was not acceptable for a woman who had been referred for an abortion to have to wait beyond three weeks for the procedure.
It is reported that there have been almost seven million abortions since 1967. Currently there are up to 200,000 a year.
See: MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
(DS)
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31 October 2007
MPs Disagree On Easier Abortions
While some members of a powerful Government committee want it made easier for women to gain access to abortions, some of the MPs' collegues disagree. A spokesman for the Science and Technology Committee said that there was no scientific justification for lowering the current 24-week limit for having an abortion.
MPs Disagree On Easier Abortions
While some members of a powerful Government committee want it made easier for women to gain access to abortions, some of the MPs' collegues disagree. A spokesman for the Science and Technology Committee said that there was no scientific justification for lowering the current 24-week limit for having an abortion.
15 September 2006
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
Emergency pill fails to lower abortion rate
A family planning expert says that the availability of the emergency "morning after" pill has failed to significantly reduce the abortion rate. Easy over the counter availability of emergency contraception has not had a notable effect on rates of pregnancy and abortion, according to an editorial in this week’s British Medical Journal.
23 July 2010
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
Fifth Of Teens Pregnant At 18
One in five teenage girls has been pregnant at least once by the age of 18, according to the latest Government figures. The figures, from a Department of Education study of 8,500 teenagers, found that more than eight of ten boys and girls questioned said that they were sexually active by the time they turned 18.
21 May 2008
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
MPs Dismiss Abortion Time Limit Changes
Proposed changes to abortion law have been dismissed by MP's last night. The time limit for abortions will remain at 24 weeks despite arguments for it to be cut to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks. The 304 to 233 free vote was the culmination of two days of emotive and heated exchanges on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mostly cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain reaching parts of Antrim and Down later this evening, The showers will extend westwards overnight, clearing from most places by morning. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
