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Will you keep your promise Gordon - 17th of Mar, 2009

The Campaign to End Child Poverty is today handing the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, a petition and birthday cake to mark ten years since the Labour Government promise to eradicate child poverty by 2020. It is also calling on him to ensure the 2010 target of halving child poverty is met.

The event will begin with a demonstration outside Parliament of bill boards calling for an end to child poverty. Then the petition will be delivered by ten-year-olds from the London borough of Newham, which has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the capital and country. They will be accompanied by End Child Poverty Director, Hilary Fisher, Colette Marshall, UK Director Save the Children and David Bull, UK Executive Director UNICEF.

The petition comes after ten thousand people demonstrated support for 3.9million UK children living in poverty – one of the highest rates in Europe - at End Child Poverty’s Keep the Promise rally in October. It has been signed by five thousand people, including many children across the UK.  They include 12-year-old Busola, who supports the campaign, “because children are our future,” and 14-year-old Laurie, who says children “deserve better”. Hilary Fisher, Director of End Child Poverty said, “Our petition demonstrates public support for the campaign. “Now we are asking the Prime Minister if the Government will keep its promise and  improve the lives of millions of UK children living in poverty today.

“As the recession bites, an investment of at least £3 billion would provide a vital, timely and targeted injection into families who, through necessity, would immediately spend on food, clothing and other essential items for their children.

“Without the money, the Government will fall short of its target and 700,000 children will remain in poverty.

“Poverty impacts on every aspect of children’s lives, and also their life chances. We believe all children in the UK deserve to succeed. Our petition shows that is what the public thinks too.”

Colette Marshall, UK Director of Save the Children said: “We will be demonstrating outside Parliament to remind the Labour Government that ten years ago it made a promise to eradicate child poverty. Children in low income families were struggling before the economic crisis, so now, more than ever, they need the government to keep that promise and invest in child poverty.”

The UK Executive Director of UNICEF David Bull added, “At a time of financial hardship it is vital that children do not pay the price for our economic troubles.

“Unless the Government keeps its promise on child poverty, inequality will persist and children will continue to grow up in poverty, compromising their health and education and their right to a standard of living that meets their physical and mental needs. “

Notes to editors

• The petition has been organised by the Campaign to End Child Poverty following the Keep the Promise Rally on October 4th 2008 attended by more than 10,000 people. End Child Poverty is a coalition of over 150 member organisations representing children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others, concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK.

• The hand in will take place at 12.30pm at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, ahead of the ten years anniversary on Wednesday, March 18, of the Government promise to eradicate child poverty.

• There will also be a photo opportunity for the demonstration of bill boards in Parliament Square from 11.30am. Further information from Carol Lever, Save the Children, 0790 4265639.

For more information or an interview with Hilary Fisher please contact Chloë Bryan-Brown 020-7278 3405, media@ecpc.org.uk