CHILD NEGLECT

Early day motion 2029, tabled 13 October 2009 by Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (Labour). Signed by 124 members.

That this House welcomes Action for Children's campaign to raise awareness of child neglect in the UK; notes that neglect is regularly failing to meet a child's basic needs from love and support to food and clothing; further notes that studies suggest up to 10 per cent. of all children in the UK are neglected, and that neglect is the biggest reason for a child to need protection; notes the findings of the recent report, Backing the Future, conducted in partnership between Action for Children and nef (the new economics foundation) that found that if Government invests in preventative and early intervention services a saving of £486 billion would be made compared with spending £4 trillion to meet the cost of addressing existing social problems over a 20 year period; and calls on the Government to spend more wisely on public services that focus on prevention and early intervention to improve outcomes and end the intergenerational cycle of neglect.

Signatures by party: Labour 76, Liberal Democrat 29, Conservative 6, DUP 5, Independent 3, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.