Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to reduce the number of older women having abortions.

The Government’s A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England sets out as one of its ambitions reducing unintended pregnancies among all women of fertile age. Evidence shows that increased access to provision of the full range of contraception, particularly long-acting reversible contraception, can reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions in all women including older women. Local authorities are mandated to provide comprehensive, open access contraception advice and services.