[the truth]

In all, 185,824 abortions were carried out on women and girls in England and Wales last year. That was 1,253 (0.7%) more than the 184,571 performed in 2014, and the largest number since the 189,931 carried out in 2011.


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The figures provide further evidence that abortions are becoming less common among women under 30 and more so among women aged 30 and over.

“Since 2005 the rates for women aged 30 to 34 have gone up from 14.5 per 1,000 women in 2005 to 17.1 in 2015, and rates for women aged 35 or over have gone up from 6.8 per 1,000 women in 2005 to 7.8 in 2015,” the statistical report said.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service said: “The last decade has seen a considerable rise in the proportion of women having terminations who are either in a relationship or married.” Last year 70% of women ending a pregnancy were either married or had a partner – a big rise from 48% in 2005.