CALDERDALE is leading the country in reducing teenage pregnancy rates, according to new figures.

The Office of National Statistics shows that in the last 10 years there has been a 30% reduction in the number of teenagers falling pregnant– the largest fall in England.

The figures were released as it was revealed that nationally the pregnancy rate among under-18s has risen for the first time in five years.

Among girls under 16, the rate rose 6.4% in one year to 8,196, while in 2007 there were 42,918 pregnancies among under-18s compared with 41,768 in 2006.

The Government responded to the figures by pledging to half teenage pregnancy rates by next year.

It has announced funding worth £20.5m to help young people get better access to contraception and support and raise the awareness of the risks of unprotected sex.

Calder Valley MP Chris McCafferty, who chairs the All Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health, welcomed the news that Calderdale is the leader in reducing teenage pregnancies.

She said: “I am delighted that Calderdale has seen a 29.9% reduction in teenage pregnancies in the last 10 years, the largest fall in England.

This shows that when local agencies implement the Government’s teenage pregnancy strategy effectively it works.

“I am pleased that the NHS and local authority have worked together to fill in the gaps in services to ensure that young people have better sex and relationships education (SRE), contraception services and are delaying their first sexual relationships.

“In addition, the Government has announced an extra £20.5m to support the teenage pregnancy strategy and to ensure that all areas can make the excellent progress that Calderdale has shown.

“I have been campaigning for many years for improved and compulsory SRE and was delighted that the Government agreed to this last year.

“I hope that the new guidance for schools in September will ensure good knowledge for all and see a reduction in risky behaviour by young people.”

The £20.5m being pledged by the Government supports the teenage pregnancy strategy, which focuses on encouraging young people to delay early sex and practice safe sex when they do become sexually active.

The new package of support and investment includes a £7m media campaign to raise awareness of the choices of contraception available to young people and £10m to ensure the availability of contraception.