§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the most recent rate of teenage pregnancies per thousand population was in(a) Longbridge ward, Birmingham, (b) Birmingham and (c) England; and what action he is taking to monitor efforts to reduce this rate. [179425]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe latest under 18 conception data available at a ward level show there were 35 conceptions to females aged under 18 in Longbridge ward in 2000. At ward level, teenage pregnancy rates per thousand1536W population can only be estimated due to the lack of accurate population denominators. An estimated aggregated rate for 1998–2000 for Longbridge ward shows an under 18 conception rate around 72 per 1,000 females aged 15–17.
(a) The latest under 18 conception rate for Birmingham shows a provisional rate of 49.9 per 1,000 females aged 15–17 in 2002. This compares with a 1998 rate of 58.6 per 1,000 females aged 15–17.(b) The latest under 18 conception rate for England shows a provisional rate of 42.6 per 1,000 females aged 15–17 in 2002. This compares with a 1998 rate of 47.0 per 1,000 females aged 15–17.Monitoring of the implementation of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is undertaken at both a national and local level. At a national level, an Independent Advisory Group (IAG) provides advice to Government and monitors the overall success of the strategy. Its membership of 25 meets quarterly and members make visits to local areas to learn about implementation of the local teenage pregnancy strategies.
At a local level implementation of the teenage pregnancy strategy in each top-tier local authority in England is reviewed every six months. Local areas submit annual reports and forward action plans at the end of March. These are assessed by regional assessment panels and written feedback given by the Regional Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator and the Teenage Pregnancy Unit. The Regional Teenage Pregnancy Coordinators also conduct six monthly review meetings to discuss progress.