"It is vital that children are not left to suffer"

6 May 2010

Charity raises concerns that vulnerable children could pay the price of the UK economic recession.

In the run up to the election, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has raised concerns about a lack of commitment from all three main political parties to sustain child protection resources.

Last week the three main parties all spoke about their plans to support families if they get into government. But NSPCC head of public affairs and campaigns Diana Sutton said the charity was ?bitterly disappointed? that none of them pledged to sustain resources to protect the most vulnerable children.

She said: "It is vital that vulnerable children are not left to suffer from the financial fallout of economic recession.

"Slashing child protection budgets after the election would have little impact on the enormous levels of public borrowing. But it could derail important recent reforms in child protection. And the costs for children would be incalculable.?

She explained that, since the death of Baby Peter, demands on local children's services departments have grown significantly, leaving social workers struggling with bigger workloads.

The NSPCC says it will oppose any cuts in child protection services that will be announced after the election.

It is running a general election campaign to make child protection a priority for the next government, and has collected signatures from more than 800 parliamentary candidates. For more information visit www.istandforchildren.com