Commenting on figures showing an increase in the rate of teenage pregnancies in many Welsh local authority areas, including a rise to 66.4 pregnancies per thousand under-18 females in Merthyr Tydfil, Nick Ramsay AM, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services, said:
“It is concerning that in many parts of Wales teenage pregnancies are on the rise, especially in communities with a legacy of social deprivation.
“With half of conceptions to under-18s aborted, there are concerns that some young people may see an abortion as an alternative to effective contraception, failing to recognise the emotional and physical impact of such an operation.
“The Assembly Government needs to refocus its efforts to improve sex education for young people to tackle these rising numbers of teenage pregnancies.
“It should be recognised that having a mature understanding of the responsibilities that go with an adult relationship is an important part of social education.”
