Hull MP backs sex education to cut teenage pregnancies

Hull North MP Diana Johnson is backing a Parliamentary Bill that would require schools to provide appropriate sex and relationships education - without exception.

The Bill, being introduced today (Wednesday 8 September) by Rhondda MP Chris Bryant, would allow parents to withdraw their children from these classes, but only if their children agreed with that decision. However, schools would not be able to opt out of providing this education.

The aim of the Bill is to reduce the number of teenage births. The UK figures for teenage pregnancies are the highest in Europe, five times higher than in the Netherlands, twice that in France and three times that in Germany.

High levels of teenage pregnancy are especially concentrated in areas of the greatest deprivation, such as Hull.

Diana Johnson MP said: "One of the key issues in my Hull North constituency is the high level of teenage pregnancies. Teenage mums are likely never to finish their education or find jobs, their children are more likely to suffer illness and their daughters are far more likely to become a teenage mum themselves. Poverty and welfare dependency ends up being inherited.

"The UK level remains stubbornly high five times higher than in the Netherlands and higher than any other country in Europe. One of the key differences seems to be that all the other countries have highly effective sex and relationship education in all their schools, which is why I have been campaigning for this to be introduced far more consistently in the UK.

"This was a matter that was pursued before the General Election by the then Children's Secretary, Ed Balls and I supported it as an Education Minister. Sadly progress was halted by the Tories and has been blocked more recently by the Coalition.

"We all want to cut the number of teenage pregnancies and all the problems that they lead to. I support all effective measures to this end, such as better sex and relationships education. This is why I will be backing the Ten Minute Rule Bill from my Labour colleague Chris Bryant MP."

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