Commenting on official figures showing that the number of abortions carried out in Scotland has risen again and that there is a clear link between deprivation and a higher incidence of abortion, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie said:

“Yet again the abortion rate is increasing in Scotland. It’s particularly worrying that so many young girls are resorting to abortion.

“These figures also show that more than a quarter of the women who had abortions in 2008 have previously terminated a pregnancy.

“Any new campaign about safe sex must focus on deprived areas and younger girls, but it also needs to teach women that abortion should not be seen as a contraceptive.”

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