Charities call for improved children's services in London

A coalition of 15 voluntary and community groups, public services and politicians including Barnardo's, the NSPCC, London Play and London Youth, is presenting its manifesto to politicians in an effort to improve service for London's young people.

The manifesto, United We Stand, calls for practical measures to be taken to tackle the capital's problems relating to education, employment, health, sport and criminal justice.

London Youth chief executive Nick Wilkie said: "It is only by working together that we can help the next generation to be happier, healthier and wealthier than the one before."

Among its calls the groups is lobbying for more opportunities to improve young people's life skills through courses in cookery, financial capability and managing accommodation.

Barnardo's director for London, east and south-east England Delroy Pomell said: "There is still so much more to be done to help children in London. They are short changed in so many ways from living in poverty to higher social exclusion rates."

The manifesto also proposes that young people become more involved in the design and delivery of celebratory events and that all museums and art galleries are child-friendly.

Supporters, including chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Affairs Natasha Engel MP, are expected to present the manifesto to the House of Commons today (3 March).