• HELEN West rightly explains why sex and relationship education (SRE) in schools is so important to protect our children (Sex education in schools about much more than the birds and bees, February 17).

SRE is already compulsory in council-maintained secondary schools but the government is facing mounting pressure to introduce it into academies and free schools. All children deserve to be fully educated, not only about sex but also sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and healthy, happy relationships, so that they are prepared for adulthood when they leave school.

Islington’s young people should not miss out on SRE because they do not attend the right kind of school.

Despite government cuts to public health budgets, Islington Council continues to have a major sexual health service to meet local needs. We are working with other London boroughs to create a new online sexual health service, and will integrate services for STIs and contraception. This will improve our ability to prevent infection, diagnose early and increase access to contraception.

But the government must act if our children are to protect themselves from abuse, be healthy and develop happy relationships. We will be writing to education secretary Justine Greening urging her to introduce compulsory SRE in all schools.

CLLR JOE CALUORI
Labour executive member for children, young people and families
CLLR JANET BURGESS
Labour executive member for health and social care