DAVID HEATH CAMPAIGNS TO END CHILD POVERTY

7.37.29pm GMT Fri 27th Mar 2009

David Heath MP has shown his support for helping the UK's poorest children in this year's Budget, at an event for the Campaign to End Child Poverty, in Westminster.

MPs came together to demonstrate their concern for the one in three children in the UK who are living in poverty, and to send a message that more should be done to help them.

David was photographed in front of a backdrop showing the Campaign to End Child Poverty's Keep the Promise rally in Trafalgar Square in October. 10,000 people turned out to urge the government not to forget its promise of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending it by 2020.

Today's event was organised by Save the Children, as part of the Campaign to End Child Poverty. The Campaign is calling on the government to invest at least £3 billion in the poorest families in this Budget, to give the government a chance of meeting their 2010 target.

Sally Copley, head of UK policy for Save the Children, said: "We are delighted to see MPs showing their support for ending child poverty. Too many children in this country are growing up without enough money for a nutritious diet or a warm home. We need everyone in Westminster to commit to ending this tragedy."

Recent Save the Children research shows that the poorest are suffering the most from the financial crisis. Nearly half of the poorest parents have cut back on food and heating, around half are suffering sleepless nights and 40% are suffering from depression.

A Save the Children briefing has also argued that investing in the poorest families is the best way to help the economy, because poorer people are more likely to spend any extra money they receive.

David Heath MP said: "According to the Campaign group, End Child Poverty, 3.9 million children are living in poverty across the UK. I'm appalled that in a country as advanced as ours, we have children who will grow up in impoverished situations. I'll be doing all that I can to put pressure on the government to meet their targets, because otherwise children will continue to live in deprivation."