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Two young people have been appointed as representatives to the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy which is helping to guide the government’s  strategy for tackling teenage pregnancy.

Rhiannon Holder, 18, said she would bring knowledge of young people’s sexual health and relationships to the role while Rhoda Thomas, 20, wants to bring experience as a teenage parent to the group.

Children’s minister Maria Eagle also announced the appointment of Gill Frances as chair of the IAG.

Eagle said: “The chair and two new members will add expertise to the Group’s membership at an important time midway through implementation of the 10-year strategy.

“The Group provides important advice to government and monitors the overall success rate of our drive to halve the under 18 conception rate in England by 2010 and increase to 60 per cent the proportion of teenage parents in education, training or employment to reduce their risk of long term social exclusion,” she added.