Tories slam teen pregnancy strategy

Wednesday, 27 July 2005 12:00 AM

The Conservatives have condemned the government's teenage pregnancy strategy after new figures showed "incredibly worrying" levels of abortions in under-age girls.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 185,400 abortions were carried out in 2004, up 2.1 per cent on the previous year, with the vast majority of these among women aged between 18 and 24.

The under-16 abortion rate fell from 3.9 per 1,000 resident women in 2003 to 3.7 last year, but shadow secretary of the state for the family Theresa May said this number "remains at incredibly worrying levels".

"Any reduction, no matter how slight, in teenage abortions is to be welcomed. Yet it is deeply concerning that the number of girls at 13 and under having abortions continues to grow," she said.

Ms May called for urgent action with both parents and teachers to address the underlying issues that cause teenage pregnancy.

"What is clear is that the government's teenage pregnancy strategy is failing to stem the tide of teenage pregnancy," she added.

"We need to educate and instil young girls with the self esteem to resist the pressures which are clearly placed on them at such young ages, and equip them with the confidence to say no."

The Department for Health admitted it was "disappointing" that the overall level of abortions had risen, but a spokeswoman highlighted the cut in procedures among the under 18s and the under 16s.

In addition, she noted that there are more early abortions taking place at under ten weeks, a key primary care trust (PCT) target.

The government had set aside £40 million to improve access to contraception, she added, out of the £300 million for sexual health outlined in the public health white paper, while a safe sex campaign will be launched shortly.

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