UK polling on abortion

WHERE DOES THE UK STAND ON ABORTION?

In May 2017 SavantaComRes undertook the most extensive UK polling in a decade on abortion.

The results show a consensus on the issue with only 1% support for pro-choice campaigners’ goal to introduce abortion up-to-birth. Instead, the vast majority of the population show strong support for a range of common sense policies that they believe would improve on our current approach to abortion in the UK.

SEx-SELECTIVE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

89% of the general population and 91% of women agree that gender-selective abortion should be explicitly banned by the law. limit for abortion should be reduced.

TIME LIMIT
PROTECTIONS

60% of the general population and 70% of women believe that the current 24-week gestational limit for abortion should be reduced.

INDEPENDENT
COUNSELLING

93% of women agree that a woman considering abortion should have a legal right to independent counselling from a source that has no financial interest in her decision.

PREGNANCY
SUPPORT

79% of the general population and 84% of women agree women who want to continue with their pregnancies, but are under financial pressure to have an abortion, should be given more support.

CONSIDERATION
PERIODS

79% of the general population support the introduction of a five day cooling off period to ensure that a women considering an abortion has had enough time to consider all of the options available to her.

PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT

65% of the general population and 70% of parents agree parental or guardian consent should be required for girls aged 15 or under to undergo an abortion.

WITHDRAWING UK
FUNDING OF OVERSEAS
ABORTIONS

65% of the general population oppose tax-payer money going to fund abortions overseas.

FREEDOM OF
CONSCIENCE FOR
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

56% of the general population agree that doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion should not have to participate in abortion procedures against their will.

coercion
protectionS

76% general population agree that doctors should be required by law to verify in person that a patient seeking an abortion is not under pressure from a third party to undergo the abortion.

SavantaComRes interviewed 2,008 British adults online between 12th and 14th May 2017. Data was weighted to be representative of all GB adults. SavantaComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.