Children are 'political priority'

Charities say children's issues need more attention

Nearly nine out of every 10 people believe children's issues should be a priority for political parties, a survey suggests.

And almost two thirds of the 950 people questioned believed there was not enough help for vulnerable children.

The NOP survey for a coalition of children's charities comes ahead of the unveiling of a "children's manifesto".

The charities say the manifesto, Room for Improvement, outlines breaches of children's rights in the UK.

Issues addressed include children and the criminal justice system, refugee children's rights and children living in poverty.

Voters feel vulnerable children must be an election priority Coalition spokeswoman Mary Marsh

The charities - the NSPCC, Save the Children, the Children's Society, NCH and Barnardo's - say the UK is falling short of the standards set by the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

The manifesto and poll will be presented to political representatives at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.

Coalition spokeswoman Mary Marsh said political parties needed to demonstrate children were high on their agenda.

"Voters feel vulnerable children must be an election priority, " she said.

"Although we have made some progress with the Children Act and the establishment of a minister for children, the manifesto shows there is real room for improvement."