Eastleigh MP, Mims Davies, asked a key sexual health question to Health Minister and constituency neighbour, Steve Brine, in the House of Commons chamber.
She raised the importance of practising safe sex after recent statistics suggested that up to half of young people do not use a condom with a new partner.
Mims said,
'The Minister joked in the chamber about the need to wrap up at this time of year. I’d like to remind all my constituents to look after their sexual health and make sure they are protected, and mindful of their sexual health in their relationships so that they stay safe, fit and well, and continue to have fun.'
In the chamber, Mims asked,
’Some 50% of young people do not use a condom with a new partner and one in 10 young adults never uses one, which means the chance of an unwanted pregnancy or, indeed, a sexually transmitted disease. Please will the Department do something to ensure that people are aware of the benefits of condoms?’
The Minister, Steve Brine, replied,
‘Men may not be very good at wrapping at this time of year, but they need to get this one right. I welcome Public Health England’s “protect against STIs” campaign, which was launched last week and aims to reduce rates among 16 to 24-year-olds, and I encourage young people having fun this Christmas to do so sensibly.’
Mims was delighted to hear that Public Health England has launched an awareness campaign in response to these troubling stats.