Hull MP demands lessons in Life Skills in all schools

Diana Johnson MP is bidding to make lessons about drugs, alcohol and relationships compulsory in classrooms.

The Relationship, Drug and Alcohol Education (Curriculum) Bill requires the Secretary of State for Education to include relationships, drug and alcohol education in the National Curriculum.

The Bill will be introduced by the Hull North MP Diana Johnson in the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 October, straight after Prime Minister's Questions, under the Ten Minute Rule Bill procedure.

The Government's long-awaited Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) review has been delayed for many months and the signs are that Ministers are not minded to make PSHE compulsory. Diana Johnson MP's Bill would make relationships, drug and alcohol education compulsory in all schools, including academies and free schools.

Diana Johnson MP has chosen to focus on relationships, drug and alcohol issues in this Bill because she feels that young people often face difficult choices relating to all three issues. Young adults need to be better informed on whether and how much to drink, risks with the growing range of new drugs and how to establish healthy relationships.

These decisions are often made in difficult circumstances and under pressure. The Hull North MP believes that education has a key role to play in equipping young people to make informed decisions and to resist peer pressure.

Teaching in this area would draw on successful Life Skills Programmes, helping young people to evaluate complex information, build up self confidence, make wise personal choices and resist risky behaviour.

Diana Johnson wants drugs and alcohol education to give practical information such as the growing dangers from 'legal highs', the alcoholic content of different drinks and the health implications of drinking from an early age, alongside what a person should expect from healthy relationships.

The Bill's objective is for relationships education to complement compulsory sex education, where the existing focus is solely on the basic biological facts, reproduction and the spread of infections and viruses. There is currently no requirement to teach about healthy relationships, or about building self esteem and body confidence. The Labour MP wants schools to help young people to avoid and resist being pressurised into situations with which they feel uncomfortable, and to be aware of unacceptable behaviour such as sexual exploitation and domestic violence.

The Bill has cross-party backing in the House of Commons. Labour MPs supporting the Bill include Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West), Chris Bryant (Rhondda), Lyn Brown (West Ham), Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston), Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South), Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) and Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe). The Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole Andrew Percy and the Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole Annette Brook are also backing the Bill.

The Bill is also backed by charities and campaigns with expertise of working in the fields of drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, sexual health and child welfare issues. These include Brook, the Family Planning Association, Adfam, the Angelus Foundation, The End Violence Against Women Coalition, Mentor, Alcohol Concern and Turning Point.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Giving our young people the life skills to make wise choices will help the fight against the costly social ills of binge drinking, drugs abuse and relationships breakdowns.

"A vital part of combating problems such as unplanned teenage pregnancies is making sure that school pupils learn more about personal relationships than just the basic biology.

"A few years ago, under the previous Labour Government, we were close to getting these subjects included as part of the National Curriculum. Sadly this was blocked by the Conservatives before the General Election.

"We are reminded every day in the news of all the opportunities, temptations and dangers that confront young people today. In our free society we cannot protect young people totally from every danger, but a modern education system should ensure that young people have the skills that they need for navigating the complexities of life, aware of both their rights and responsibilities. This teaching would tilt the odds in favour of our young people and against those seeking to harm or exploit them.

"I hope that my Ten Minute Rule Bill, backed by many expert charities and MPs across parties, will help Education Secretary Michael Gove to think again."