Women in England will be allowed to take an abortion drug at home, under a new government plan due to take effect before the end of the year.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, however, said the move “further trivialises abortion”.

“The abortion pill puts women through a terrible emotional and physical ordeal,” a spokesperson said. “The determination of the abortion industry to push women to undergo this in their own home with no real medical supervision illustrates their cavalier attitude when it comes to the well-being of women.”

Currently, women ending a pregnancy in its first 10 weeks must take two pills at an abortion clinic, 24 to 48 hours apart. After taking the second dose, they leave the abortion clinic and wait for their unborn child to miscarry. Sometimes, this occurs while the women are on their journey home.

Under the new plans, which will bring England into line with Scotland and Wales, the second pill can be taken at home.