Self-care and mental health focus of Government's new education guidance

Addressing MPs, Mr Hinds said that;

"There is little distinction for many young people today, between their online lives and their offline - and that is why I believe more than ever, we need to provide young people with the knowledge they need in every context to lead safe, happy and healthy lives."

• Watch Parliament TV: statement on relationships, sex education & health education
• Read Commons Hansard: statement on relationships, sex education & health education

The new guidance comes into effect in 2020, introducing a compulsory health education curriculum to both primary and secondary schools. Primary schools will teach relationships education, sex education will be compulsory for secondary schools, and an understanding of the connection between physical and mental health will be taught throughout.

Responding for the Opposition, Angela Rayner MP said:

"On guidance itself, giving children a voice in this part of their education is hugely important and I welcome his recognition of that vital point. However, can he explain why since the curriculum will always be age appropriate, he won't allow children to opt in at a younger age?"

• Commons Library Dashboard: Schools funding in your constituency 

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