Queen’s Speech has no solution for social problems facing children

Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:

“Today’s Queen’s Speech makes some bold promises about the future, but offers no solution to social problems that are here right now and damaging our children’s lives.”

“In particular, the speech ignores the appalling and seemingly endless rise in child poverty and the fact that children’s services have been cut to the bone. The promise of a superb education is all very well, but where is the strategy to improve the social conditions of children and to make sure families get the help they need before falling into crisis?

“On serious youth violence, talking tough on sentencing for violent crime cannot by itself solve the problems behind criminality. Placing a duty on public bodies to work together to tackle serious violence will help local coordination but do nothing to address the social causes that play a major part – exclusion and deprivation.

“To really deliver change, we need a Children and Young People’s Strategy with £10 billion at the next Spending Review.”