UN slams government's record on children's rights

Concluding remarks, made in the committee's fifth report on the UK's compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), are particularly critical of the effect that the Conservative government's austerity measures have had on children from poorer families.

The committee says recent cuts to public sector services and spending have contributed to "inequality in children's enjoyment of their rights, disproportionately affecting children in disadvantaged situations".

The government also needs to improve support for the UK's most vulnerable children, including those with mental health problems, the report said. The committee wants to see better investment in child and adolescent mental health services and more effective monitoring of the support on offer.

Other concerns include the lack of statutory sex and relationship education in schools and the continued use of police custody for children having a mental health crisis.

In total, more than 150 recommendations aimed at improving children's rights in the UK are made by the committee, which carried out the review in the spring.

These include introducing "a statutory obligation at national and devolved levels" to ensure that a "child rights impact assessment" is carried out when developing legislation and policies affecting children.

It calls on the government to ensure homeless children and families are not placed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for prolonged periods.

The committee also wants to see a further reduction in the number of children in custody and improvements to the treatment of those young offenders who receive a custodial sentence. This includes outlawing the use of solitary confinement and painful restraint techniques.

Children's rights campaigners have urged the government to act swiftly to address the UN's concerns.

National Children's Bureau chief executive Anna Feuchtwang said: "The UK should be the best place in the world for children to grow up in, yet these findings show that we are falling short of the mark."

She also calls on the government to appoint a cabinet minister for children "to put children firmly at the centre of government decision making".

Louise King, Director of the Children's Right's Alliance for England, said that the UN's verdict should be a "wake-up call" for ministers.

"We want the government to show leadership and take concerted action to address the UN's concerns," she added.

The high rate of placement instability for children in care is another issue raised by the UN.

Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan, said: "Too many children in care are being moved around, making it impossible for them to build meaningful relationships and give them a sense of family and belonging.

"Local authorities must open up resources to ensure that children are matched with the right families and that foster carers can get support for challenging times."

Commenting on the committee's concerns about the impact of government austerity measures, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "All children deserve the best start in life, and growing up in a household where people work is the best way to ensure the economic security they need. That is why our welfare reforms incentivise work and ensure we have a system, which is fair to those who need it and those who pay for it."

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "The government remains fully committed to making sure children's rights are protected. We are pleased that the committee's report recognises real progress has been achieved across the UK. We will consider the committee's recommendations carefully."