Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on the Government’s plans to introduce statutory age-appropriate relationships education from Key Stage One, said:

“I am absolutely delighted with the Government’s announcement that they will seek to introduce statutory, age-appropriate relationship and sex education for every child from Key Stage One. 

“This is the culmination of years of campaigning by the Labour Party, charities and MPs across the House, and I’m pleased the Minister has listened to the arguments and acted appropriately.

“Good quality relationship and sex education in schools is key to the prevention of child abuse and violence in teenage relationships. It provides children with the knowledge, resilience and confidence they need to challenge exploitative relationships.

“Relationship and sex education is most effective when it sits as part of a whole-school approach embedding across the curriculum with well-trained staff. The Government must now ensure schools have the resources to deliver this.”