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Age of consent calls rejected

The Government has rejected calls from a leading public health expert to lower the age of consent, from 16 to 15. Professor John Ashton says society sends "confused" signals about when sex is permitted.

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Government rejects call to lower age of consent

Downing Street has said there are "no plans" to change the age of consent after leading health expert Professor John Ashton said the law should be changed to allow 15-year-olds to have sex.

We reject the call to change the age of consent.

The current age is in place to protect children and there are no plans to change it.

– Downing Street spokesperson

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