Women want a stricter abortion law

As MPs prepare to vote on abortion a new opinion poll indicates that women strongly back a reduction in the abortion time limit.

* Three in four women (73 per cent) think the abortion limit should be reduced to 20 weeks or lower to be more in line with EU countries.

* 72 per cent of women (and more than half of the general public) also want a lower abortion time limit in light of the survival rates of babies born before 24 weeks

* 92 per cent of women (and 89 per cent of the general public) agree that women should have a statutory legal right to be told of all the physical and psychological risks known to be associated with abortion.

The figures are the result of a poll conducted on behalf of The Christian Institute by polling company ComRes.

The viability of premature babies

In the last year for which figures are available, Government statistics show that 52 babies survived having been born earlier than 24 weeks. At one specialist neo-natal unit in Britain, 5 out of 7 babies born at 22 weeks gestation survived. In light of this:

* 72 per cent of women (60 per cent of people) said the time limit should be decreased.

* 70 per cent of 25-34 year-olds said the time limit should be decreased.

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, comments: “Women want a lower abortion limit, and MPs should think carefully before ignoring their views on this sensitive issue.

“When told of actual survival rates of babies born before 24 weeks people back a lower abortion limit. Three in four women also want a limit of 20 weeks or lower to be more in line with other EU countries.”

To view the full poll results, please visit:

To view the ComRes headlines, please visit:

To view The Christian Institute’s summary of the results, please visit:

Polling details: ComRes interviewed 1,014 GB adults by telephone between 2nd and 4th May 2008. Data were weighted to be representative demographically of all GB adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. See www.comres.co.uk