UN report finds UK government is failing children

There have been various improvements in an attempt to prioritise children since the last report in 2008 but recent cuts to services and spending has had a hugely adverse effect on the rights of the children.

UNCRC is composed of 18 independent experts who monitor implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified to date by 196 states. Members are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of states parties. The committee’s concluding observations are an independent assessment of states’ compliance with their human rights obligations under the treaty.

The committee has provided over 150 recommendations to the UK government. Including:

A coalition of children focused charities, including Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, Unicef UK, and others say the report highlights many gaps in the UK’s rights for children.

Louise King, director of Children’s Right Alliance for England (CRAE) said: “The UN’s verdict on the UK’s treatment of children should act as a wake-up call that much more needs to be done to prioritise children’s rights in England.

“We want the government to show leadership and take concerted action to address the UN’s concerns. To ensure a fresh focus on children, a senior, Cabinet-level minister must be given responsibility for putting children’s rights where they should be – at the heart of all government decision-making.”