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Manchester councils paid to tackle teenage pregnancies

02/07/2008

Local authorities in Greater Manchester are to be given cash to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and joblessness, it has been announced.

Helping troubled teenagers is the main focus over the next three years, according to the government, which is arranging the funding for so-called local area agreements.

Under the terms of the scheme, councils are supposed to liaise with local service providers such as Jobcentre Plus to identify key priorities.

The government also wants the ten councils in the city-region to reduce the numbers of 16 to 18 year olds who have left education.

Beverley Hughes, minister for the north-west said: "It's vital that the barriers to success - teenage pregnancy, dropping out of school, alcoholic abuse, and obesity - are tackled."

In recent months, Manchester city council has taken a hard line against parents who do not ensure their children are in school, with anti-truancy sweeps resulting in a number of fines.