By Bridget Phillipson MP

We often see negative headlines about pregnant teenagers but there has been surprisingly little coverage of the fact that teenage conception rates are now at their lowest since 1969.

The previous Labour government invested heavily and took action to reduce teenage pregnancies.

This kind of preventative work often went unreported, but was no doubt a major factor behind the reduction.

Many teenagers make loving and caring parents and have to fight negative stereotypes, but they’d be the first to accept that it’s tough being a young parent and on a low income.

The short sighted cuts made by the government to this important area of public health may yet have long term consequences.

Click here to view the original article published by the Sunderland Echo on Wednesday 14 March 2012.