Government links teen pregnancies rise to binge drinking

The number of teenage pregnancies started to rise again in the first three quarters of 2007 and ministers are pointing to reports that suggest young people are twice as likely to have unprotected sex whilst drunk.

"We know that there is a clear link between drinking and having unsafe sex and we also know that the number of teenage pregnancies has gone up recently," said Children's Secretary Ed Balls.

The government cited a survey of 14- and 15-year-olds in Rochdale showing that one in five girls had gone further sexually that they had wanted to because they were drunk.

"Young people themselves tell us they go further sexually than they planned when they are drunk and it stands to reason that when drunk they might be more likely to bow to pressure to have sex - possibly without using contraception," added Balls.

According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, 42 girls in every 1,000 in England and Wales got pregnant in the 12 months up to September 2007, compared to 41 per 1,000 during 2006.

Simon Blake, chief executive of sex advice charity Brook said that alcohol played a part in unwanted pregnancies. But he added: "While we need to address the impact of alcohol we must not get sidetracked from building the foundation blocks which are still not in place everywhere: good PSHE, good outreach work, high profile visible young people's services and strong youth services."