LONDON: In a bid to cut down teenage abortions, the British government has ordered health officials to increase the uptake of long-acting contraception in teen pregnancy 'hot spots', a move critics warn will promote promiscuity.

Under the reforms, teenagers can receive the injections or implants without their parents' knowledge, and those considered at risk of unplanned pregnancies will be advised by their school-based clinics to use these methods of contraception aimed at rendering them infertile for three years, London's Sunday Times says.

Letters from health and education ministers demand 'urgent action' from heads of councils and primary care trusts to bring about 'an overall increase in the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (Larc)', the Telegraph reports.

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