MORE than 2,000 abortions were recorded in Bradford last year, new figures show.

The latest Department of Health and Social Care statistics show there were 2,364 abortions for residents of Bradford in 2022 – up from 1,985 the year before and an increase from 1,773 in 2012.

Of the abortions in 2022, 92 were for under-18-year-olds.

There were a total of 251,377 abortions for women resident in England and Wales in 2022.

This was the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced almost 60 years ago and a rise of 17 per cent on the 2021 figure, the department said.

Abortion provider MSI Reproductive Choices said its own numbers show a rise of 27 per cent in people turning to its clinics for abortion care in 2023, and a further 22 per cent increase in the first quarter of this year.

Dr Sarah Salkeld, the charity's UK associate clinical director, said: "With so many women around the country experiencing inadequate access to contraception, it's no surprise that abortion figures are rising.

"Greater demand and finite resources for GPs and sexual health clinics are leaving women at risk of unintended pregnancy at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet."

She added: "These pressures disproportionately impact those on the lowest incomes, meaning those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis are often more likely to experience an unintended pregnancy in the first place."

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said findings from its survey of more than 1,300 women this month suggested financial factors had either mainly or partly impacted the decision to end a pregnancy for 57 per cent of respondents.

Additionally, 36 per cent said they had been unable to get the contraception they wanted or had faced delays, leading to unwanted pregnancies and subsequent abortions.

Heidi Stewart, BPAS chief executive, said the service had heard "heart-breaking" stories from women under financial pressure.

She said: "The cost of living crisis has placed immense strain on women and families, with too many having to choose between financial stability and having a baby."

She called on the next Government to curb the cost of living and make childcare more affordable, as well as focusing on women’s health to improve access to contraception.

The Department of Health was asked to comment but no response had been received at the time of publication.