MPs Back End To Child Poverty

Ann Winterton MP

MPs from across the political parties 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