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Teenage pregnancy rates continue to fall

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS News Release (2007/0092) issued by The Government News Network on 24 May 2007

Teenage pregnancy statistics published today show the lowest under-16 and under-18 conception rates for the first quarter of a year since 1993, when quarterly statistics were first published.

The latest quarterly teenage pregnancy statistics from Office for National Statistics show that for the first quarter of 2006:

* The under-16 rate of conceptions was 7.0 per 1000 girls aged 13-15, compared with 7.6 for the same quarter 2005. This is the lowest quarterly rate (for any quarter) since the start of the statistical series in 1993.

* The under-18 rate of conceptions was 39.7 per 1000 girls aged 15-17, compared with 41.4 for the same quarter in 2005. This is the lowest first quarter rate since 1993, when the statistical series started.

* Compared to the first quarter of 2005 the under 16 rate is eight percent lower, and the under 18 rate four percent lower.

Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes said:

"This is further evidence that our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is working. We made a commitment to reduce the teenage conception rates and to improve the quality of life for all young people - we are delivering on that.

"Since our introduction of the strategy, every local authority in the country has had a detailed look at their performance in reducing teenage conceptions. Many have since dramatically improved, by using our guidance and learning lessons from other authorities around the country which have successfully reduced their rates. There is no room for complacency however, and we'll be keeping a close eye on performance at a local level.

"The latest available annual figures, from 2005, showed that we were winning the fight to reverse a historic trend. Although quarterly statistics fluctuate across the year, this is a very encouraging indication for 2006 and beyond."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. As quarterly conception statistics have a marked seasonal variation comparisons between different years should only be made using the same quarter

2. Between 1998 and 2005, England's annual under-18 conception rate fell by 11.8%. The under-16 conception rate fell by 12.1% over the same period.

3. Details of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy's latest guidance can be found on the Teenage Pregnancy Unit website: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/teenagepregnancy.

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