SOLIHULL MP ATTENDS THE LAUNCH OF PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON CHILD POVERTY IN THE UK

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 5th Mar 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt attended the parliamentary launch of Save the Children's UK child poverty exhibition at the Upper Waiting Hall, House of Commons last week. The photography exhibition, 'Missing Pieces', by photojournalist Anna Kari, captures the harsh reality of life for the 3.4 million children living below the poverty line in the UK today.

Department of Work & Pensions Child Poverty Minister, Jim Murphy MP, opened the exhibition, which runs until 1st March, and invited other MPs to join him in signing up to Save the Children's child poverty pledge.

Speaking today, Lorely Burt MP said:

"The Save the Children exhibition really brought home what child poverty means in this country. It's pitiful that in this day and age parents in the UK are still struggling to afford the basic necessities like hot healthy food and warm clothes for their children. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the EU we have some of the highest rates of child poverty. I have added my name to Early Day Motion 141 in support of Save the Children's call for Seasonal Grants which could lift 440,000 children out of poverty, and would represent a lifeline to families struggling to support themselves."

Colette Marshall, UK Director of Save the Children, said: "All three major political parties have now signed up to the target of eradicating child poverty by 2020 and yet our campaign continues. The Government now needs to turn their promises and rhetoric into reality and use the vital opportunities of 2007, the Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review, to change the lives of the poorest children in Britain."

Save the Children is calling for the Government to introduce two Seasonal Grants to support families at the points of year when they are facing acute financial pressure. An additional £4.5bn (0.3% of GDP) is needed to ensure that the next milestone towards the child poverty target is met in 2010.