Record number of abortions recorded in Oldham in 2020

Date published: 04 August 2021


Statistics released by the Department for Health and Social Care show that 1,161 abortions were recorded in Oldham in 2020, an increase from 1,106 in 2019.

The 2020 number is the highest since comparable local figures started being reported by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2012.

Right To Life UK, a pro-life anti-abortion group, believe that the rise in abortions in Oldham, and across England and Wales, has accompanied the Government's decision to introduce a temporary measure in March 2020 allowing ‘DIY’ home abortions.

Since ‘DIY’ home abortions were introduced, 'a number of significant medical problems have arisen', Right To Life UK insist. 

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, states that a nationwide investigation found evidence of abortion providers putting women at significant risk by not carrying out basic checks before sending them ‘DIY’ home abortion pills.

Ms Robinson said: “It is a tragedy that 1,161 lives were lost to abortion in Oldham last year.

“Every one of these abortions represents a 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.

“Last year we came together as a nation and made great sacrifices to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19.

"Sadly, at the very same time as protecting one group of vulnerable people, we as a society have also ended thousands of young vulnerable lives through abortion.

“This significant rise in abortions coincides with the temporary measures allowing ‘DIY’ home abortions in the UK.

"Since governments permitted ‘DIY’ home abortions, many stories of illegal late-term abortions and safety abuses have come to light.

“We are calling on the UK and Welsh Governments to end these ‘DIY’ home abortion schemes immediately."

According to Right To Life UK, a record 210,860 abortions were recorded across England and Wales in 2020, an increase of 1,341 from 2019.


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