Christmas drinking blamed for record number of abortions

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Marie Stopes International (MSI) said Christmas drinking, leading to unprotected sex, could be to blame for the highest figure recorded in its 32-year history.

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A total of 5,992 abortions were carried out at the charity's nine UK clinics in January - a rise of 13 per cent on the 5,304 figure for January 2005. In total, 61,983 abortions were performed at Marie Stopes clinics in the UK in 2006.

Liz Davies, MSI director of UK operations, said: "It's too soon to say whether the figures we have recorded will be reflected across the country in official national statistics to be published later this year.

"It does seem, however, that we may be seeing the consequences of the festive season, when partying excess and alcohol consumption combine to increase libido and lower inhibition, with the inevitable consequences of unprotected sex resulting in unplanned pregnancies."

The charity said it had encouraged women to obtain emergency contraception to store at home in the run up to Christmas.

MSI's "party purse", including the emergency contraceptive Levonelle, two condoms and a Christmas sexual health guide, was available at the nine UK centres.

Ms Davies said: "Despite our efforts we have still seen the biggest rise ever in abortion figures in the month after Christmas. It's obvious that one agency working in this field with limited resources can never have a significant impact on abortion figures.

"There is a clear case for an annual Government-funded national education campaign to alert women and men to the importance of preventing unwanted pregnancies and STIs (sexually-transmitted infections) including HIV/Aids.

"On its part, Marie Stopes International will continue to do whatever it can to ensure that every woman attending its centres for abortion services leaves committed to using an effective method of contraception."