Abortion rates in England and Wales reached a record high in 2023, with one in three pregnancies ending in termination, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The proportion of pregnancies terminated rose to 32.1 percent last year, up from 29.7 percent in 2022 and 26.5 percent in 2021.

The total number of terminations increased by 35 percent since 2019, rising from 207,045 to 279,970. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately one in four pregnancies were terminated in these regions.

The rise in abortion rates has sparked renewed debate over the “pills by post” scheme introduced during the pandemic. The policy allows women to access early medical abortion (EMA) pills at home without in-person medical supervision, following a remote consultation via phone or online. This marks a significant change from pre-pandemic regulations, which required women to take the first pill under clinical supervision before taking the second dose at home. The pills are used within the first ten weeks of gestation.

Critics argue that the remote model increases the risk of abuse and reduces opportunities to identify women who may be under coercion or duress from abusive partners. They also express concerns about the potential for medical complications arising from self-administration without direct oversight.

Tory peer Lord Jackson of Peterborough described the figures as indicative of “a real crisis in vulnerable women’s health” that is being overlooked. He emphasized that the absence of face-to-face medical encounters can result in missed signs of partner manipulation and medical risks.

Michael Robinson, representing the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, called into question the consequences of loosening abortion regulations. He urged policymakers to consider the impact on both women’s health and unborn children, suggesting that the changes place these groups at increased risk.

Meanwhile, the data also reflect demographic shifts in conception patterns. Conceptions among women aged over 40 reached a record 36,085 in 2023, with a rate of 17.6 conceptions per 1,000 women, surpassing the previous high recorded in 2021.

The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.