Teen pregnancies rise in Preston for second year

Going up: Teenage pregnancies have risen in Preston. Picture posed by a model

Some 91 girls aged between 15 and 17 fell pregnant in 2014, the latest Office for National Statistics figures show.

That number is up from 85 in 2013 and 61 in 2012, while the number who had an abortion rose from 44.3 per cent to 49.5 per cent in the same period.

The number of under-16s getting pregnant has also increased, with 57 youngsters conceiving in 2012/14.

In 2011/13 it was 56, in 2010/12 it was 54, and in 2009/11 it was 56.

Nationally, the teenage pregnancy rate dipped to its lowest level since records began in 1969.

Natika Halil, chief executive of sexual health charity FPA, added: “It is great that there has been a continued decrease in the teenage pregnancy rate for England and Wales.

“Not all teen pregnancies are unplanned or unwanted, but people who become parents under 18 have a higher risk of poorer health, education, economic and social outcomes. However, once again there are huge variations in pregnancy rates between different areas. In the last year we have seen the Government fail to make sex and relationships education statutory and significant cuts made to public health budgets in England.

“Neither is going to help bring the country’s teen pregnancy rate in line with other countries in Europe and both need serious consideration.”

Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and well being at Public Health England, said: “Young people with the highest rates of unplanned pregnancy and teenage parents are also more likely to have poor educational achievement, poor physical and mental health and experience social isolation and poverty.”