Joint statement from Brook and FPA on a further drop in the teenage pregnancy rate for England and Wales

Published: 25 February 2014

The Chief Executives of Brook and FPA, Simon Blake OBE and Dr Audrey Simpson OBE, said:

“We welcome the further reduction, which is continued testimony to the legacy of the Government’s 10-year teenage pregnancy strategy.

“However, there is no room for complacency. We know that the best way to reduce teenage pregnancies is to ensure young people have appropriate sex and relationships education and easy access to confidential contraception services and information. It is also important for us promote an open and accepting attitude towards teenage sexuality.

“International research has found these factors to be present in countries with low rates of teenage pregnancy, and the UK is still lagging behind comparable countries in western Europe.

“Going forward it is vital that local authorities have their own strategies in place to continue the good work and learning that were central to the national teenage pregnancy strategy.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the under-18 pregnancy rate in England and Wales is 27.9 per 1,000 in 2012, down from 30.9 per 1,000 in 2011.

The under-16 pregnancy rate in England and Wales is 5.6 per 1,000 in 2012, down from 6.1 per 1,000 in 2011.

Ends

Notes to editors:

About FPA

The sexual health charity FPA gives straightforward information, advice and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone across the UK. FPA educates, informs and supports people through our work in the community, our helpline and information service, our counselling service, our training and publications and our public awareness campaigns. www.fpa.org.uk. 

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
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