Government Failing Children in Dorset over Teenage Pregnancies - Brooke

3.30.00pm GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

A striking rise in teenage pregnancies across Dorset shows that Government policies are not working says Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Children Schools and Families.

Figures released today by the Office of National Statistics shows that pregnancies amongst under-18 year olds have risen by 11.5% per cent in Bournemouth, 3.2% per cent in Poole, 5.2% per cent in Dorset over 2006 to 2007. This reflects a worrying trend across the whole country, where the teenage conception rate amongst young people has risen for the first time since 2002.

Commenting Annette Brooke said: 'It is a real tragedy that the teenage pregnancy rates have risen so dramatically in Poole, Bournemouth, and Dorset especially after the successful work the Local Authorities have put in over the last 10 years.

It is clear that access to sexual health services and contraceptives should be improved across the county, and more importantly a renewed approach to sex education should focus on the importance of relationships. We need to equip young people with the information they need to make important life decisions.'