General election 2019: Key policy guide

On 12 December, the country will vote in a third general election in four years, and potentially elect a fourth prime minister since 2015.

The unusual time of year – the last December general election was back in 1923 – and the political circumstances surrounding Brexit make the outcome hard to predict.

Both of these factors are also set to make it harder than usual – and it is usually pretty hard – for issues related to children, young people and families to get air time, despite much active campaigning by children’s charities.

At the time of going to press, the Conservatives were yet to publish their manifesto – however, they have already unveiled measures to tackle violent crime and boost education funding.

Labour and the Liberal Democrat manifestos feature commitments to significantly increase public spending, particularly on early education, the NHS and children’s mental health, and youth services.

Whatever the outcome, the new government will face major challenges over child poverty, school funding and children’s mental wellbeing.

Here, the key policies for the children’s sector are summarised along with reaction and analysis from leading organisations.

Click on each sector link below for more:

• Early years
• Education
• Health
• Welfare and care
• Youth justice
• Youth work
  
  
• Help families in poverty trap
  By Anna Feuchtwang, chief executive, NCB
  
  
• Bridge chronic funding gap
  By Kathy Evans, chief executive, Children England