Written question asked by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Abortion

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2010, Official Report, columns 382-3W, on abortion, what the evidential basis is for the statement that additional funding for contraception in the last two years has contributed to a decrease in abortion rates.

Answer: The Department invested additional funds in contraception services in April 2008 (£12.8 million), September 2008 (£10 million) and April 2009 (£11.6 million). In each of the last five quarters (July 2008 to September 2009), the abortion rate was lower than the corresponding quarter in the preceding year. As these decreases in the abortion rate coincide with the period in which the additional investment was available, we believe that the additional investment, and other measures we have taken, has made a contribution towards the decreases in the abortion rate.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 506 c1393-4W; 319957
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Abortion
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Written questions
House of Commons; Abortion
Friday, 12 March 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Contraceptives Health education
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk