Since its launch in 1999 the government has spent around £250m on the teenage pregnancy strategy.
Despite this investment, progress in reducing the conception rate among under-18s has been slow rather than startling.
The most recent figures for 2008 show the rate has dropped by 13.3 per cent since 1998, a considerable distance from the strategy's ambitious target of halving the teenage pregnancy rate by 2010.
Children's minister Dawn Primarolo nevertheless appeared in upbeat mood last week. Following an unexpected increase in the teenage conception rate between 2006 and 2007, the figures for 2008 show an annual drop of 3.9 per cent.
Pressure to take action
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