Over 10 million lives lost after 56 years of the Abortion Act

 (Photo: Getty/iStock)

An estimated 10,372,100 lives have been lost since the Abortion Act came into effect on this day in 1968. 

In 2021, the last full year for which abortion statistics are available, more than one baby was being aborted every two and a half minutes across England, Wales and Scotland. 

That year saw record high numbers of abortions, with 214,869 in England and Wales, and 16,596 in Scotland. 

Right to Life UK attributed the increase to the introduction of the pills by post service that allows women to take both abortion pills at home up to the first 10 weeks. 

A spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson said: "The UK's abortion law is failing both women and unborn babies. It is a national tragedy that 10,372,100 lives have been lost since the 1967 Abortion Act came into effect, each one a unique and valuable human being who was denied the right to life.

"Every one of these abortions represents a collective failure of our society to protect the lives of babies in the womb and a failure to offer full support to women with unplanned pregnancies.

"While we may pause to commemorate this tragedy, this day also serves as a call to action for people around the country to renew their efforts to do everything they can to help ensure more lives are saved from abortion in the future."

The anniversary of the Abortion Act is being remembered this year as MPs launch a fresh attempt to radically change the UK's abortion laws. 

An amendment tabled to the Criminal Justice Bill by Labour MP Stella Creasy wants to remove the possibility of custodial sentences for abortions after 24 weeks. If passed, Right to Life said it would lead to more late-term abortions. 

Ms Robinson urged people to contact their MPs to ask them to ensure that protections for unborn babies and mothers are strengthened. 

"By being proactive and taking action, every single one of us can be part of building a pro-life nation where we protect and defend the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death," she said. 

News
Nigerian faith leaders call for interfaith reconciliation to end violence
Nigerian faith leaders call for interfaith reconciliation to end violence

Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians.

Businessman and peer Lord Edmiston reflects on faith, stewardship and global mission
Businessman and peer Lord Edmiston reflects on faith, stewardship and global mission

The successful businessman and peer said he was driven by evangelism, not the creation of wealth for its own sake.

Greek Orthodox Church in Britain baptises 250 people
Greek Orthodox Church in Britain baptises 250 people

The church said that many of those baptised had been guided into the faith through its Discover Orthodoxy programme.

Kemi Badenoch pledges to restore historic church funding scheme
Kemi Badenoch pledges to restore historic church funding scheme

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was formally closed at the end of March but ran out of money before that after its budget was cut.