Industry News
New adviser joins govt teen pregnancy strategy
Posted on 25th April 2008
A new adviser has joined the government's Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG).
Julie Bentley is the chief executive of the Family Planning Association, with 15 years of experience in the public sector, and will now help to guide and monitor the teenage pregnancy strategy.
Since the strategy was first published in 1999, the under-18 conception rate has fallen by 13.3 per cent in the UK, the lowest level in 20 years. The scheme aims to halve teenage pregnancy by 2010.
Between 1998 and 2006, 89 per cent of local authorities reported a drop in teen pregnancy. As the under-18 conception rate has gone down, the conception rate in other age groups has risen.
Chair of the TPIAG Gill Frances said: "We look forward to working with [Ms Bentley] at this critical phase of the teenage pregnancy strategy when we need to accelerate progress and make sure everyone in prioritising the issue."