Barnardo's chief executive responds to the King's Speech

“With our new government promising “security, fairness and opportunity for all”, it is essential that children are at the heart of their immediate priorities. With 4.3 million children growing up in poverty, around 1.4 million living with a mental health condition and far too many facing sexual or criminal exploitation, we were pleased that today’s King’s Speech included many encouraging first steps in addressing these issues. 

“We particularly welcome the announcement of a Children’s Wellbeing Bill and look forward to working with ministers to make sure this achieves real change for children and young people. Significant reform is needed to keep children safe, to improve their mental health, and to make sure those in local authority care have the same opportunities we expect for our own children. 

“We also welcome plans to strengthen the law to address violence against women and girls – and an increased focus on child criminal exploitation. We hope this goes even further – introducing a new criminal offence would send a strong signal that children always need protection, and will help social services, police and schools to identify children at risk. 

“However, the vital changes children need can only be achieved with investment.  We strongly urge the government to take bold action in the autumn spending review to tackle the child poverty emergency and to invest in the future health and wellbeing of the next generation. This must start with finally committing to ending the two-child limit on universal credit. 

“To prevent families reaching crisis, and to help young people stay safe at home, in the community and online, we also need a new approach to children’s social care, so that everyone has access to the ‘village’ it takes to raise a child.”