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The 1999 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy represented the first coordinated attempt to tackle both the causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy.

The strategy's targets are:

• Halve the under-18 conception rate by 2010, taking 1998 as a baseline year
• Increase the proportion of teenage mothers 16-19 years in education, training or employment to reduce their risk of long-term social exclusion

All local areas have a 10-year strategy in place, with under-18 conception rate reduction targets of between 40 and 60%. These targets underpin the national 50% reduction target. Medway has a reduction target of 50%.

More information on the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy can be found on the Every Child Matters website ›

Since the baseline year of 1998, England has seen a reduction of 13.3% in under-18 conceptions (according to latest data available for 2008). Office of National Statistics data for 2008 showed England as having a rate of 40.4 conceptions per 1000 girls aged 15 - 17 and half of these led to abortion (50%). In 1998 the rate was 46.6 per 1000, with 42% leading to abortion.

Compared to the national average, Medway has seen a decrease of 4.4% since 1998, this represents a decrease from 46.2 conceptions per 1000 girls aged 15-17 in 1998 to 44.2 per 1000 in 2008. The percentage leading to abortion has risen from 38% in 1998 to 51% in 2008.

In 2010, the Government produced Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: Beyond 2010. The aims of the Strategy are to:

• Give young people the knowledge and skills they need to delay early sex until they are ready
• Ensure they are able and confident to access and use effective contraception when they do become sexually active
• Provide effective support for teenage parents

To download the strategy, visit our Resources section

Further information and statistics on under-18 conception rates can be found on the Every Child Matters website ›