Young people are learning about sex from online pornography because conventional sex education is “failing” them, MPs have said, amid a surge of sexually transmitted infections.

The Women and Equalities Committee said that there is an “unacceptable risk of harm” from online information about sex and sexual health because of an “absence of authoritative advice”.

MPs said there is “compelling evidence that relationships and sex education is failing young people” and the benefits of condom use “must be a key part of the curriculum”.

They also criticised the government for “failing to heed warnings” with funding for sexual health services reducing year-on-year.

In their report, the committee found that gonorrhoea cases rose to 82,592 in 2022 – the highest number in any single year since records began in 1918.

Read more from Sky News:
‘I’m going to ruin your life’: Inside the Revenge Porn Helpline
Porn websites may have to use photo ID and credit card checks
US state bans children under 14 from social media

They also found infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022 – the largest annual number since 1948 – and that overall, there were 392,453 diagnoses of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England in 2022, more than 1,000 a day.

Routine COVID tests for hospital patients discharged into care homes to be ended by government

Health workers to receive one-off payments worth up to £3,000

Women in UK face average wait of almost nine years for endometriosis diagnosis

Caroline Nokes MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, called the figures a “red flag” and said: “Sexual health services are at breaking point. They are underfunded and in many cases unable to provide the services their local area needs.

“It is not sustainable and an obvious false economy to substantially reduce funding for sexual health services during a period of increasing demand upon them.”

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

A government spokesperson said: “In 2020 we made it compulsory for all secondary schools to offer relationships and sex education to ensure that young people are equipped to make safe, informed and healthy choices.

“Content includes information about safer sex and contraception and how these can reduce STIs.

“This year we have allocated more than £3.5bn to local authorities in England to fund public health services, including sexual health services, and this funding will increase in each of the next three years.”

Related posts:

Harry says Charles ‘stopped taking my calls’ – but he wants to ‘heal’ relationship with his father Girl, 10, tasered by police in London UK reports under 100 new COVID deaths for second day running Former MI6 boss warns UK’s terror threat level ‘greater today’ following Afghanistan exit Dizzee Rascal escapes jail sentence as he’s ordered to wear electronic tag for assaulting ex-fiancee Two people diagnosed with monkeypox in London, health officials confirm Man charged with abduction and sexual assault of girl, 6 Parts of UK braced for ‘severe’ 55mph winds Headteacher shot dead in Surrey was arrested seven years ago after row with husband Which conditions will pharmacies be able to treat without a GP appointment? Nigel Farage attacks ‘moron’ home secretary for taking credit for no Christmas boat crossings Shetlands spaceport could see launch every month as firm counts down to rocket lift off