Spending on sexual health services in Barnet has fallen by more than a quarter over the last five years.

Between 2013 and 2018 spending by Barnet Council on sexual health services fell from £5,937 to £4,387 – a decrease of 26.1 per cent.

A spokesperson for Barnet Council said: “Barnet has been part of a London-wide sexual health service transformation that has introduced a new integrated tariff for open access sexual health services.

“This has helped us deliver services with less funding, as well as providing a more consistent approach to sexual health treatment across London.

“We have redistributed some resources to invest in sexual health prevention in 2018/19.”

The data, taken from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, by London Assembly member, Sian Berry revealed spending by all local councils in London on sexual health services fell from an average of £176 million in 2013, to 148 million in 2018.

The funding by boroughs covers education on preventing sexually transmitted disease, treatment for sexually transmitted infections as well as proving contraception and advice.

Responsibility for sexual health services was transferred to local authority public health departments in 2012.

Ms Berry said: “Investment in health should be a priority for boroughs, but budgets have been reduced by tens of millions of pounds despite the clear need for contraceptive advice for London’s women and the high number of sexually transmitted infections in the city.

“For some people even asking for help for sexual health problems can be a barrier to accessing services – but the situation is worsening as Londoners are having to compete for appointments or even being turned away from clinics already struggling to meet demand.”

Ms Berry is also calling on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to use his “influence” to help local councils prioritise sexual health support.