Teenage pregnancy rates are rising for the first time in 14 years, prompting an LGA call for renewed action, including a national sexual health strategy.
In the 25 years since the publication of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy for England, councils have worked with local multi-agency partners to effectively reduce under-18 conception rates by 70 per cent. Areas with the highest levels of deprivation have seen the steepest decline.
Despite this progress, under-18 conceptions and abortions have risen since 2020, alongside a decline in condom use among adolescents.
The LGA warns the lost momentum could reflect broader systemic pressures, with funding cuts pushing councils from upstream prevention to downstream crisis response.
Alongside improved outcomes for teenagers, investment in teenage pregnancy programmes generates £4 of savings for every £1 spent through reduced demand on health, social care, housing and education services.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “Councils have led the way in reducing teenage pregnancies. We must now build on the achievements of the past 25 years.
“Teenage pregnancy is not just a public health issue – it’s about safeguarding, education, social justice and giving every young person the chance to thrive.
“We are urging government not to become complacent and prevent any further rise in teenage pregnancy rates by facilitating consistent national support for local delivery and providing sustainable investment for prevention and early support.”
See www.local.gov.uk/publications for two new LGA guides for councils on teen pregnancies