Girls should learn about orgasms and sexual pleasure during sex education lessons, a Labour MP has said.

Jess Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley, said: “We should be telling girls about orgasms during sex education. I’m not suggesting we teach children how to masturbate, I’m suggesting we talk to them about the things they’re doing anyway. Women’s expectations have to be greater. We have to start demanding more.”

Her comments, made in an interview to Grazia magazine, came after a recent US study found that only 65 per cent of straight women “usually or always orgasm” during sex, compared to 95 per cent of straight men.

Ms Phillips has campaigned for compulsory age-appropriate relationships and sex education (RSE) in all schools.

The government has committed to making RSE compulsory in all schools. Its consultation on what topics should be taught within RSE closed yesterday.