Sex education should be made mandatory in all primary and secondary schools in England, according to a new report from the Commons Education Select Committee.

MPs behind the document said teaching youngsters age-appropriate sex and relationship education is essential in ensuring that they make the right decisions and stay safe.

The report noted that personal, social and health education (PSHE) and sex and relationship education (SRE)  in schools has been deteriorating over time, with young people stating that sex and relationship education in particular is "inadequate".

Graham Stuart, chair of the committee, commented that there was "an overwhelming demand for statutory sex and relationship education – from teachers, parents and young people".

"It’s important that school leaders and governors take PSHE seriously and improve their provision by investing in training for teachers and putting PSHE lessons on the school timetable," he continued.

"Statutory status will help ensure all of this happens. Young people have a right to information that will keep them healthy and safe. SRE forms an important part of any school’s efforts to safeguard young people from abuse, and is particularly needed to protect the most vulnerable children."

The authors of the report say that one of the problems with the teaching of this subject is the ambiguity of its "status", compounded by the fact that it isn't a statutory requirement.

Needless to say the solution is to make it compulsory, and the MPs in support of this have called on the Department for Education to put in place a "workplan" for introducing age-appropriate PSHE and SRE.

Speaking to the Guardian, Lucy Emmerson, coordinator of the Sex Education Forum, said: "It is clear that many children and young people go through school without getting vital age-appropriate information about their bodies, what is right and wrong in relationships, consent and sexual health."