00:00The fertility rate in England and Wales has fallen to a record low, according to new figures from
00:05the Office for National Statistics. Women in 2025 are expected to have an average of 1.39
00:12children during their lifetimes, down from 1.4 on the previous year and well below the level
00:17needed for a population to remain stable over time. The number of babies born last year was
00:23the lowest recorded in almost half a century. The data also shows 4 in 10 births involved at
00:29least one parent born outside the UK. Last year, Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said
00:35she thought financial pressures may be influencing family planning decisions.
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