NHS launches one-stop-shop websiteMore teenagers are having abortions than ever before, fuelling a significant rise in the number of terminations in England and Wales.
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The total number of abortions was 193,700 in 2006
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Despite huge Government spending on contraception education, 19-year-olds are now the most likely of any age group to have an abortion, with 35 in every 1,000 undergoing the procedure, according to official Department of Health figures.
Previously the highest rate was among women aged 20-24 years.
The number of girls aged under 16 and under 18 having abortions also increased last year, increasing concern that the procedure is now being seen as a form of contraception.
The rise in the abortion rate comes just one week after a hard-hitting report - Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Young People - from a Government-funded advisory group, warned British teenagers were in the grip of a sexual health crisis, fuelled by a "celebrity culture" that condoned alcohol abuse, drug addiction and promiscuity.
In total there were 193,737 abortions among women and girls in England and Wales last year - an increase of 3.9 per cent on the total for 2005. The rise between 2005 and 2004 was just 0.4 per cent.
The figures also show that almost one third - 32 per cent - of women who had an abortion had already had at least one previous termination.
This percentage remained unchanged from 2005 despite the Government earmarking £40 million for contraception education and led to widespread condemnation today that their sexual health initiatives are failing badly.
Caroline Flint, the health minister, admitted: "The NHS needs to work harder to reduce the demand for abortions by improving access to contraception."
The good news was that more abortions were taking place at an early stage - almost two-thirds (68 per cent) under 10 weeks gestation, she said.
A recent investigation by Unicef revealed that more British children are having sex by the age of 15 than in most other European countries.
Today's figures show that the under-16 abortion rate was 3.9 per 1,000 girls (up from 3.7 in 2005) and the under-18 rate was 18.3 per 1,000 women (up from 17.8).
Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, said: "These are disappointing figures, especially on repeat abortions which further illustrates the failure of the Government's strategies on sexual health and teenage pregnancy."
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the figures pointed to "a failure to address the problem of unplanned pregnancy, particularly in teenagers and young women".
"This now represents a major public health issue, and a failure of preventative medicine," it said, and it called for a "rethink" in the way sex and relationship education is provided.
The figures are released against the backdrop of an increasingly bitter debate on the abortion issue as the Abortion Act marks its 40th year - with moves to make abortion even easier.
Last week MPs voted down the third proposal since October by pro-life backbenchers to increase restrictions. Next week the British Medical Association will debate recommendations to radically ease restrictions, approved by its medical ethics committee, which says women should be able to decide themselves to have abortions within the first 13 weeks - without the requirement of the consent of two doctors.
Lord Steel, the man who proposed legalising abortion 40 years ago, said today the figures indicated a "very unwelcome trend" , especially the level of repeat abortions which he said was "extraordinary".
He added if the BMA's proposals were adopted by the Government, it would bring England and Wales into line with Europe.
"The legislation was drawn up to balance the rights of the foetus with the rights of the woman," he said. " But, there is also a strong case for encouraging abortions to take place earlier. "
Last month Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic, Cardinal Keith O'Brien launched a fierce attack on pro-abortion Catholic politicians saying the abortion rate in Scotland was equivalent to "two Dunblane massacres a day".
Pro-life organisations condemned the figures. Paul Pully, from SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) said: "Gordon Brown should end the Labour Government's policy of rushing women as quickly as possible through the abortion mill in its frenzy to cut waiting times".
Pro-life Alive and Kicking said the figures were "utterly horrifying".