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A group of MPs has called on the government to make sex education compulsory for primary school pupils.
In a letter to the Telegraph, the MPs, led by Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, say the group is urging ministers to make lessons on sexual health and relationships mandatory for young children.
They believe that the move would the reduce Britain's high rates of teenage pregnancy, abortion and sexually transmitted disease.
As ministers finalise a review of sex education provision, the MPs ask the government to "guarantee appropriate sex and relationship education in every primary and secondary school by putting personal, social and health education on a statutory basis as part of the national curriculum."
Under current regulations, children must be taught the biological facts of human reproduction, but there is no statutory requirement for schools to teach the social and emotional context of sexual behaviour.
The letter says: "International evidence suggests that high-quality sex and relationship education that puts sex in its proper context, that starts early enough to make a difference and that gives youngsters the confidence and ability to make well-informed decisions, helps young people delay their first sexual experience and leads to lower teenage pregnancy levels."
The letter is also signed by charities including the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd