New child wellbeing league table: UK in 24th place out of 29 European countries

Child Poverty Action Group has published a briefing drawn from a new league table of child wellbeing in European countries, in which the UK comes in 24th place out of 29 countries. Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“The last time a child wellbeing league table was published, British people were shocked the UK came last. This time we need a frank focus on why other countries are doing so much better for their children. Public resolve and political action to put children first are more important than another round of hand-wringing.

“Government action like Sure Start, child tax credit and the children’s plan will already be making a difference, but more is needed. All political parties must pledge to direct more of our national resources towards making children’s lives better. We need to rethink the place of children in today’s Britain and ensure the right to a good childhood is central to our national culture.

“We cannot afford a ‘do nothing’ budget for children. The report shows a clear link between high levels of child wellbeing and low levels of child poverty. If we fail to protect families during the downturn, progress on child wellbeing could go into reverse. The Chancellor must take the final steps needed to keep the promise to halve child poverty by 2010.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG, along with over 150 organisations in the Campaign to End Child Poverty, is calling for the Chancellor to invest at least £3 billion in benefits and tax credits for low income families to ensure the 2010 target to halve child poverty is met. For CPAG’s letter to the Chancellor calling for the full actions needed in the Budget, and how they can be funded, please visit: http://www.cpag.org.uk/info/briefings_policy/CPAGbudgetltr140409.pdf
• Download CPAG's Child wellbeing and child poverty briefing (120 KB PDF file)
  This briefing draws on the results of a new league table of child wellbeing in 29 European countries produced by researchers from the University of York. It includes 43 separate indicators, summarised in seven domains of child wellbeing. The Netherlands comes top of the table, followed by Norway and Sweden. The UK came 24th, well below countries of similar affluence, with only Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta doing worse. The briefing also outlines the policies CPAG is calling for to end child poverty and improve child wellbeing in the UK
• For up-to-date background facts and stats on UK child poverty and the Government’s targets, visit: http://www.cpag.org.uk/povertyfacts/
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 130 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk