A majority of people in Northern Ireland are opposed to the planned changes to abortion law which could come into force from 22 October.

Unless Stormont is restored by 21 October, extreme abortion laws will come into force and NI will go from a life-affirming law to one of the most permissive abortion regimes in Europe.

The new survey by Lucid Talk was commissioned by campaign group Both Lives Matter and examined 1,424 responses over three days at the end of September.

Respondents were asked if they backed the changes which Westminster has imposed on Northern Ireland.

More than half – 52% - said they were opposed to the reforms and nine per cent said they were not sure.

The majority of men – 53% - and women – 51% - were against the changes.

In each age-group, opposition was stronger than support for the new laws.

Opposition was strong among young people, with 54% of 18-24-year olds opposed and 63% of those 65 and over also opposed.

Dawn McAvoy of Both Lives Matter said:

“The majority of people of Northern Ireland do not want these changes, no Northern Ireland MP voted in favour of the abortion amendment proposing these changes, and the majority of councils in Northern Ireland have now voted against these changes,” she said.

“None of the 20,000 babies born every year in Northern Ireland will be protected in law until they are capable of being born alive. After that we may be left with the most liberal abortion regime in Europe — the details of which are up to one man — the MP for Skipton and Rippon - who also happens to be the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland."