The Local Government Association (LGA) warned the rise in under 18 conceptions and abortion since 2020 and decline in condom use among adolescents could reflect funding cuts pushing councils from upstream prevention to downstream crisis response.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the LGA's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: ‘Councils have led the way in reducing teenage pregnancies. We must now build on the achievements of the past 25 years by tackling persistent inequalities, digital exclusion, school absence and pandemic legacies.

‘Teenage pregnancy is not just a public health issue, it's about safeguarding, education and social justice. Supporting young parents is equally vital to improving outcomes and breaking cycles of disadvantage.

‘We urge the Government to act now, restore national leadership for local delivery and invest in prevention and early help to stop any further rise in teenage pregnancies.'

The LGA called on the Government to: restore national leadership on tackling inequalities; deliver a new sexual and reproductive health strategy; provide better data from the ONS; invest in prevention programmes; and align health, education and social care to rebuild the prevention ecosystem through the upcoming cross-Government youth strategy.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘As the education secretary outlined this week, this Government is determined to create an education system which sets children up to achieve and thrive.

‘The new RSHE guidance responds to the realities facing children today, making sure that all young people understand healthy relationships and how to access sexual health and family planning clinics.

‘More widely, we are mission-driven to tackle the stain of child poverty through our Plan for Change, which is why we are introducing free breakfast clubs, limiting branded uniform items, rolling out Best Start Family Hubs, and offering free school meals to every child from a household that claims Universal Credit from the start of the 2026 school year.'