The Government was pressed into action following UK Health Security Agency figures revealing consultations at sexual health clinics reached 4.5m in 2024, up from 2.9m in 2013.

Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘These statistics show that local sexual health services are grappling with significant increases in demand.

‘Without adequate investment, people will face growing barriers to accessing expert, timely care.

‘The Government must use next week's Spending Review to boost funding for sexual health services in line with this sharp rise in need.

‘Councils have worked hard to promote regular testing and early detection, which are vital for preventing the spread of infections and improving public health outcomes.

‘Investing in sexual health services not only reduces long-term illness and unplanned pregnancies but also eases pressure on the NHS and enhances the wellbeing of our communities.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We are committed to improving sexual health services and tackling infections.

‘This includes rolling out the world's first gonorrhoea vaccine from the summer and extending the National HIV Prevention Programme to increase access to testing, reduce stigma and raise awareness of ways to improve sexual health.

‘We will publish a new HIV Action Plan later this year to set out how we'll hit our target of no new HIV transmissions in England by 2030.'