§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of whether there is a correlation between teenage sex education(a) advice programmes and (b) clinics and the prevalence of (i) sexually transmitted diseases and (ii) teenage pregnancy rates; and if he will make a statement. [167064]
§ Margaret HodgeIncreasing rates of sexually transmitted infections and high levels of teenage pregnancy have complex underlying causes. The best international research evidence supports the multifaceted approach being taken by our Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health and HIV Strategies.
Increasing and improving access to contraception and sexual health advice services is one essential part. We are also helping young people to resist pressure to have sex, improving sex and relationship education to increase their knowledge and skill promoting condom use for those who are sexually active and supporting parents to talk to their children about sex and relationships without embarrassment.
The number of family planning sessions aimed at young people has increased to tackle high levels of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. In turn, increased provision will have created greater opportunities for raising awareness of sexually transmitted infections, increased screening and testing and identification of previously undiagnosed infections.
Since 1998, the baseline year for the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, there has been a 9.4 per cent. reduction in the under 18 conception rate with 80 per cent. of local authorities seeing declining rates.