WHO proves that poverty is poison

Commenting on the report issued today by the World Health Organisation on the health consequences of social and economic inequality, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“Poverty is poison. If you are one of the 3.9 million children living below the poverty line in Britain, you can expect to die sooner. Our country has been sleepwalking back to the worst values of the Victorian era. British people now want their politicians to show a renewed sense of moral responsibility by keeping their commitment to eradicate child poverty.”

Commenting on the report highlighting the 28 year difference in life expectancy for the most disadvantaged children in Glasgow compared to other children living just 13 kilometres away, the Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, John Dickie, said:

“This report provides a brutal example of the damage poverty and inequality does to children’s life chances. It is completely unacceptable that in 21st century Scotland, in one of the richest countries in the world, a child’s life can be cut short by nearly three decades simply because of the circumstances they are born into.”

Notes for editors

• On October 4th, the biggest ever campaigning event for the eradication of child poverty in the UK will take place. The Keep the Promise rally will be in Trafalgar Square, London and will call on Government and all political parties to ensure the 2010 and 2020 promises to halve, then end child poverty are kept.
• 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