According to official data released by the Department of Health and Social Care, Britain recorded a record high of 299,614 abortions across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2023. The figures represent an increase of 10.56 percent compared with the previous year, with 278,740 procedures taking place in England and Wales alone.
Scotland reported 18,242 abortions, while Northern Ireland recorded an estimated 2,632, bringing the total to a new national high. This increase occurred during the third consecutive year that at-home abortion services have been widely available in England and Wales—a policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic allowing women to receive abortion pills following remote consultations rather than attending clinics.
Right To Life UK has called for a nationwide discussion on abortion law and policy, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for unborn children and expanded practical and financial support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. The organization cited polling indicating that a majority of women support changes to current regulations, including reinstating mandatory in-person consultations.
Catherine Robinson, a Right To Life UK spokeswoman, stated: “It is a national tragedy and a national scandal that so many lives were lost to abortion in England and Wales in 2023.”
The British government has delayed releasing figures for more recent years, with pro-life groups alleging the data shows even higher abortion rates. This debate unfolds amid international controversy over abortion access, including undercover footage in Canada revealing how easily late-term abortions can be accessed.
The United States, described as the only Anglo-Sphere country countering the growing abortion trend, has seen several abortion-providing clinics close following the introduction of President Donald J. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which restricts public funding.
