According to the Department of Health, a record number of abortions were performed in England and Wales in 2005. Abortions rose by more than 700 compared to the previous year, from 185,713 to 186,416. Also among the recent statistics, 1,000 girls under 15 were reported to have had an abortion, a rise of 4.7% in 2005.

“This record high number of abortions is undoubtedly due to a dramatic increase in the number of early abortions,” said Patrick Leahy, a spokesman for a pro-life group.

Close to 30% of women have had at least one abortion, with the percentage increasing to 43% among black British women.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk