Scottish government urged to increase support following record abortion figures

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is calling on the Scottish government to enhance support for expectant mothers after Public Health Scotland reported a record 18,783 abortions in 2025. This figure represents a more than 55% increase from the 12,082 abortions recorded in 2015. SPUC noted that these numbers followed the relaxation of regulations during the pandemic, which permitted the use of abortion pills at home following remote consultations.

Comparing these statistics to mortality data from the National Records of Scotland, SPUC argued that abortion is now the leading cause of death in the country, surpassing cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Michael Robinson, general secretary of SPUC, stated that these figures necessitate an urgent reassessment of public health priorities. As part of its '5 Asks' campaign, the organization is advocating for increased financial and practical assistance for pregnant women, including the extension of the Scottish Child Payment and new legislation to criminalize abortion coercion.

These calls arrive during ongoing government consultations regarding potential changes to abortion laws, including proposals for full decriminalization. The Free Church of Scotland has expressed significant concerns regarding these potential legislative shifts, citing risks to existing safeguards and protections for conscientious objection.