Impact of the Abortion Act 1967 on levels of abortion
Tabled 27 April 2026 by Carla Lockhart
That this House notes with deep concern that an estimated 11,105,671 lives have been lost to abortion in the United Kingdom since the Abortion Act 1967 came into effect 58 years ago; recognises this as a profound human tragedy; further notes that approximately 98 per cent of abortions are carried out under Ground C, commonly associated with social and economic pressures, while around 1 per cent are carried out where the baby has a disability; believes these figures point not only to the scale of abortion in the United Kingdom but also to the pressures and lack of support many women face; expresses concern that too many women feel abortion is their only option because of poverty, relationship breakdown, housing insecurity, inadequate maternity support or fear of raising a child alone; and calls on the Government to do more to support women facing crisis pregnancies through practical, financial and emotional support, improved perinatal and maternal services, strengthened support for families raising disabled children, and policies that help women choose life for their babies.