Justine Greening took advantage of her first opportunity since resigning from the Cabinet to champion relationships and sex education.
In a topical question in the House of Commons, the former Education Secretary urged the Government to ensure that sex and relationships guidance is updated.
But critics have raised concerns that the plans would promote “explicit materials” that children “are far too young to understand”.
Same-sex marriage
Greening played a key role in committing the Government to controversial Relationships Education for all primary schools.
The primary school subject is set to see young children taught about “different types of relationships”, which could include homosexuality, transsexualism and same-sex marriage.
Under the plans, parents would not have the right to withdraw their children.
‘Fantastic’ job
Greening asked Home Secretary Amber Rudd, also Minister for Women and Equalities, to confirm the Government will “push ahead” with updating sex education guidance. Greening claimed the current guidance is now “out of date”.
Rudd replied by saying that she would be “delighted” to meet with Greening, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee Maria Miller, and former Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Sarah Champion.
She also claimed that Greening had done a “fantastic” job of “making sure that sex and relationships education is going to be provided in all schools”.
‘Far too young’
Last month, the Government launched a call for evidence on plans for Relationships Education. Responding to the announcement, The Christian Institute raised concerns about children facing increased exposure to inappropriate sexual content.
Colin Hart, the Institute’s Director, said: “At a time when there is growing alarm at the sexualisation of children, this change could lead to the sex education industry, which promotes explicit materials, having much greater influence.”
Thomas Pascoe, Campaign Director of the Coalition for Marriage, added: “Under these proposals, the leading agent in the early sexualisation of children would be the state itself.
“We should be teaching young children broad values of respect and tolerance, not ordering them to accept adult sexual relationships which they are far too young to understand.”