Government Record On Children Shameful - Brooke

12.00.00am GMT Wed 14th Feb 2007

Britain is at the bottom of UNICEF's child well-being league table

Commenting on today's UNICEF report showing that Britain has come bottom of a league table for child well-being, Liberal Democrat Children and Family Spokesperson, Annette Brooke MP said:

"It is shocking that we are doing so badly at bringing up our children.

"The shameful level of child poverty began under the Conservatives with massive income inequalities. Some progress has been made on this, but there is still a long way to go.

"We are guilty of placing too much pressure on our children by forcing them to start formal education so early and then subjecting them to constant tests and exams.

"Every child should be entitled to live in a stable, loving family environment. Effective measures are needed to address the early signs of family breakdown, which puts the interests of the child first."

UNICEF report on childhood in industrialised countries

http://www.unicef.org.uk/press/news_detail.asp?news_id=890