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
Most adults in Britain aren't married, latest data shows
Most adults in Britain aren't married, latest data shows

The Marriage Foundation has described the latest marriage data as “bleak and disheartening”.

Church of England halts plans for standalone same-sex blessing services
Church of England halts plans for standalone same-sex blessing services

Bishops in the Church of England have decided not to move ahead with a trial of standalone services of blessing for same-sex couples. 

Orthodox Anglicans create new Communion that rejects leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury
Orthodox Anglicans create new Communion that rejects leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury

The Gafcon movement of orthodox Anglicans is forging its own path away from the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury with the launch of the Global Anglican Communion.

Mel Gibson replaces Jim Caviezel as Jesus in highly anticipated 'Passion' movie sequel
Mel Gibson replaces Jim Caviezel as Jesus in highly anticipated 'Passion' movie sequel

Filming has begun on Mel Gibson’s long-awaited sequel to “The Passion of the Christ,” titled “The Resurrection of the Christ,” with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen taking over the role of Jesus from Jim Caviezel.