HC Deb 10 July 2003 vol 408 cc899-900W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what he is doing to improve the education and information available to teenagers in state funded schools with regard to(a) sexually transmitted diseases, (b) alcohol, (c) drugs and (d) smoking cigarettes. [123593]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

Education about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), drugs, alcohol and tobacco is delivered through the framework for Personal

Percentages of survey respondents who were in a job six months after leaving a period of government supported training by financial year,
programme and region
Financial year of leavind/Outcome South East London East of England South West West Midlands East Midlands Yorkshire and Humberside North West North East England
1997–98
In a job
(AMA) 81 79 84 82 79 82 78 77 78 80
(FMA) — — — — — — — — — —
(OT) 73 57 71 68 67 68 62 63 57 65
(WBLYP) 74 62 73 71 70 70 65 65 60 68
1998–99
In a job
(AMA) 84 82 85 86 82 84 80 80 78 82
(FMA) — — — — — — — — — —
(OT) 70 55 74 71 66 66 59 62 55 64
(WBLYP) 74 62 77 75 69 70 65 67 61 69
1999–2000
In a job
(AMA) 87 81 87 87 84 85 83 82 81 84
(FMA) 70 66 72 69 67 71 69 64 63 68
(OT) 71 49 71 70 63 66 58 61 53 62
(WBLYP) 77 63 77 75 70 72 67 69 62 70

Social and Health Education and compulsory Science lessons.

We have taken a range of measures to improve the education and information about STIs and drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, in schools. We have made available £17.5 million this year to support drug, alcohol and tobacco education in schools. From April 2001, we have supported the appointment of Schools Drug Advisors to help schools deliver drug education tailored to the needs of pupils. We are supporting a range of continuing professional development opportunities to support teachers and other professionals who deliver effective drug education and education about STIs. We have commissioned practical guidance for teachers on HIV and STIs to support coverage of these issues. We, together with the Home Office and the Department of Health, are also supporting a national five-year research programme called "Blueprint" which will test the effectiveness of drug education initiatives in schools.