The Office for National Statistics published figures for under-18 pregnancies in England and Wales, showing a rise of at least 2.7 per cent in the rate last year.
The figures mean Britain will cement its position as the country with the highest teenage pregnancy levels in Europe.
Jill Kirby, from the think tank Centre for Policy Studies: “It is very worrying, given teenage pregnancy rates are already ahead of those in the rest of Europe, that the slight decline has now gone into reverse.
“We need a new policy of parental consultation, limited access to contraceptives and a climate in which sexual activity among teenagers is discouraged rather than encouraged.â€...
