Despite a fall in the number of teenage pregnancies in the UK for the second year running, the government has come under pressure to step up its commitment to helping teenage parents.

According to figures published last week by the Office of National Statistics, conception rates among under-18s fell by 2.4 per cent between 1999 and 2000. The total reduction since 1998 is 6.3 per cent, which means over 4,000 pregnancies have been prevented for girls under 18.

Initiatives already implemented as part of the teenage pregnancy strategy include a £16m investment in local areas in 2002-3 to tackle teenage pregnancy rates; new information packs for young people on sexual issues; and a national campaign on prevention messages.

But a report by the Young Women's Christian Association, also published last week, has urged the government to step up its commitment to eradicate poverty and social exclusion of young parents after a study revealed strong links between poverty and teenage motherhood.

The YWCA report calls for people to stop "demonising" teenage mothers. Its seven-point action plan includes calls for an increase in the minimum wage for those under 21 to the adult rate and training courses for social care professionals on the needs of young parents.

- Poverty: The Price of Young Motherhood in Britain from www.ywca-gb.org.uk  

- ONS data from www.statistics.gov.uk