Teenage pregnancy rates have fallen for the third year running. Conceptions among under 18 year olds were 3 per cent down in 2001 compared with the previous year. There has been a 9 per cent reduction since 1998. Conception rates among girls under 16 fell by 4.5 per cent last year and by 10 per cent over three years.
The NHS Plan and the Labour election manifesto set a target of 15 per cent reduction in teenage pregnancies by 2004. The teenage pregnancy strategy is aiming to halve the rate by 2010, and to increase to 60 per cent the participation of teenage parents in education and work.
Public health minister Hazel Blears, announcing an extra £40m to support the strategy, said: "The 9 per cent reduction over three years reflects an enormous amount of work and commitment at a local level towards helping more young people make safe, informed choices and towards supporting teenage parents to improve the quality of life for them and their children."