Government gets C+ on child issues

The Government must do better on children’s health, child poverty and the protection of children out of home if it is to fulfil its promises to the country’s youngest citizens.

An assessment carried out by the Children’s Rights Alliance on behalf of more than 90 organisations working with children gives the Government an overall C+ grade for its efforts at safeguarding children’s welfare — the best grade a government has received since the annual exercise began in 2009.

However, “glaring violations” are also highlighted, with an E grade awarded on the subject of child poverty following the harsh measures introduced in last month’s budget which will see a loss of income for many families.