Call for clarification on government's sex education policy

With the Conservatives hotly opposed to compulsory sex education and the Liberal Democrats wholeheartedly in favour, the appointment of a new conservative Health Minister, Andrew Lansley, ushers in a new era for young people's health.

The sector has been quick to highlight what it thinks are the areas that must not be overlooked, arguing that the new government should pick up where Labour left off by upholding the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and supporting a move towards compulsory sex education.

Sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is keen to ensure that sexual health does not fall under the radar because of differing opinions.

THT head of policy Lisa Power said: "The Liberal Democrats' and the Conservatives' stances on sex education are  completely opposite. We're expecting them to avoid discussing the issue at all for quite some time.

"Newly-weds don't want to talk about the things they disagree on, they only like talking about the things they agree on, it's the same situation with the new coalition. We will be doing our best to try to get sex education and the appalling levels of poor sexual health in young people spoken about by the new government.

"We will be approaching new MPs who we have existing relationships with and we know are interested in the issue in order to raise the profile of young people's sexual health."

Brook national director Simon Blake said: "We really hope the early change of name from DCSF to the Department for Education does not indicate a loss of focus on children and young people's wider welfare.

"We also hope that necessary cuts are made intelligently and do not undo the progress that has been made over the past two decades through initiatives like the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, which have contributed so much to young people's health and wellbeing," he added.