Jeremy Hunt supports 12-week abortion limit

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he supports a reduction in the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 12 weeks.

He was speaking to The Times ahead of the Conservative conference.

Mr Hunt, who was made Health Secretary just a few weeks ago, told the newspaper that 12 weeks was the "right point".

He said: "It's just my view about that incredibly difficult question about the moment that we should deem life to start.

"I dont think the reason I have that view is for religious reasons."

The limit on abortion is currently at 24 weeks across England, Scotland and Wales, and is illegal in Northern Ireland, with the exception of serious medical conditions.

Downing Street has said Mr Hunt was expressing his own view and that the Government has no plans to change the law on abortion.

Home Secretary Theresa May has also said she would like to see a reduction in the time limit on abortion.

She said in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme that her own personal view was that the limit should be reduced to 20 weeks but added that the Government had no plans to replace the limit.

"I think there is scope for some reduction," she said.

Earlier in the week, Culture Secretary and Women's Minister Maria Miller said it was "common sense" to lower the abortion limit because "science has moved on".