Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 26 November 2019 - Strasbourg

Children rights in occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (B9-0178/2019, B9-0179/2019, B9-0180/2019)

  Antony Hook (Renew). – Mr President, among the most important rights of every child is not to grow up in poverty, but for too many this right is denied. Children grow up in housing that is damp and in disrepair, and schools and healthcare are understaffed. There is unprecedented air pollution, and there’s also a known link between poverty and mental health problems. The UK has four million children living in poverty – 30% of all our children, nine out of every class of 30. Poverty is rising because living costs are rising and pay is stagnating, made worse because Brexit has destroyed growth in our economy. That is why Liberal Democrats fight to stop Brexit.

It’s time for a European-wide guarantee for the welfare of every child. This Parliament has previously called for a child guarantee for every child at risk to receive schooling, housing, healthcare and nutrition. Let Europe unite in protecting all of our children.