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MPs back end to child poverty as charity calls for public to join Trafalgar Square event - 16th of Jul, 2008

MPs from across the political parties today demanded that the Government keep its promise to end child poverty. The MPs were signing up to End Child Poverty’s ’Keep the Promise’ campaign, as the charity announced the largest ever event to end child poverty in Trafalgar Square on October the 4th.

Without urgent investment in the next year the promise to end child poverty is at tremendous risk. The October event will mobilise public support to make the biggest noise ever for Government keep its pledge to end child poverty.

Hilary Fisher, Director of End Child Poverty, said: “To end Britain’s child poverty shame, the Government must keep poor children a top priority. Keeping the promise  will need urgent investment for the most disadvantaged children. The MPs backing Keep the Promise are giving hope to Britain’s poorest children. Now we can all give hope to our poorest children by joining the largest ever event to put them at the top of the political agenda.

The event will begin with a short march from Millbank to Trafalgar Square where there will be children’s activities, family fun, film and speeches. This will be followed by a mass moment where everyone will be asked to make as much noise as possible so that everyone present can show their support.

Fisher added: “Please join this historic opportunity to show our politicians that child poverty is no longer acceptable in our country. Why should British children suffer more than children in the rest of Europe? Enough is enough, let’s end Britain’s child poverty shame.”

Research has shown that poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life. Children from poor homes are more likely to leave school earlier with fewer qualifications and therefore fewer employment prospects. Only 9% of children in the poorest fifth of the population attend university by the age of 23 compared to 46% of those in the wealthiest.

Members of the public who want to attend the Trafalgar Square event or find out how else they can support the campaign should visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/promise

ENDS

For more information contact: Will Slater 020 7278 3405

Notes to editors

Who is supporting the campaign? Over fifty MPs are already support the campaign they include: Adrian Sanders, Alan Beith, Andrew Gwynne, Andrew Stunnell, Andy Reed, Ann Winterton, Anne Begg, Annette Brooke, Barbara Keeley, Betty Williams, Bill Etherington, Bob Russell, Celia Barlow, Christine Russell, Clive Betts, Dai Davies, Dai Havard, David Laws, David Lepper, Doug Naysmith, Edward O’Hara, Fiona Mactaggart, Harry Cohen, Helen Goodman, Hilary Armstrong, Hywel Williams, James Arbuthnot, Jamie Reed, Jeff Ennis, Jenny Willott, Joan Humble, John Battle, John Hemming, John Leech, John Penrose, John Trickett, Katy Clark, Kelvin Hopkins, Kerry McCarthy, Lorely Burt, Madeleine Moon, Martin Caton, Mary Creagh, Michael Connarty, Mike Gapes, Paul Truswell, Philip Dunne, Roberta Blackman-Woods, Roger Williams, Russell Brown, Susan Kramer, Terry Rooney, Tim Farron, Virendra Sharma.

What is the promise? In 1999 the Prime Minister, Tony Blair committed to halving child poverty by 2010 and 2020. Both the Conservative Party and the Lib Dem party say they believe in ending child poverty by 2020 too.

What is Britain’s child poverty record? In 1979, 1 in 7 children were in poverty. It is now 1 in 3 children – one of the worst rates in Europe.. A UNICEF report published in 2007 put the United Kingdom in bottom place in a list of 21 wealthy countries on child poverty and child well being., despite the UK having the fifth richest economy in the world.

What are the child poverty facts? 3.9 UK children live below the poverty. This is 30% of children, a rate over three times as high as the EU countries with the lowest child poverty rate. Infant mortality is twice as high for the poorest families as the richest. Life expectancy is over a decade shorter for the poorest children as for the wealthiest.

Who is organising the ‘Keep the Promise rally? The Campaign to End Child Poverty, a coalition of over 120 organisations working to eradicate child poverty in the UK. It is formed from children’s and other charities, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others concerned about the unacceptable levels of child poverty in the UK. For more information, visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk   The comments in this release represent the views of the Campaign to End Child Poverty and do not necessarily reflect the views of member organisations.