The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is scrutinising the extent to which the UK complies with international children's rights standards. Children will be raising concerns about different aspects of their lives and treatment in England. This examination only occurs every five years and children are giving evidence ahead of Government representatives.

Jackson, aged 14 from Leicester, explains: “We are going to talk about children’s rights and what the Government is doing to ensure children have all their rights. I think human rights are important because without them children are open to abuse and unfair treatment.”

The children's visit coincides with a disturbing new report from the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), also being launched today, which shows how badly the UK Government is doing in its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Drafted by a team of child policy experts, the CRAE report makes 152 recommendations.

Endorsed by 100+ charities, the CRAE report calls for strengthening of UK child protection laws, including for children in conflict with the law and asylum-seeking children, and a massive injection of resources into ending child poverty and inequality. Despite being the fifth richest country in the world, the UK remains a deeply unequal society with the poorest children literally having their lives cut short and getting the worst deal from education and health services. The report highlights how children are still being taken into care because of poverty, and the most vulnerable children in our country are ending up in custody, where their care and safety is too often substandard.

Carolyne Willow, National co-ordinator of the Children’s Rights Alliance for England, says:

'The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will be keen to find out how Ministers have responded to its last set of recommendations, and to hear what life is like for children in England today.'

Children will set out their main priorities to the UN Committee, which include tackling negative media messages and lack of respect from adults; giving children more of a say when their parents separate; increasing financial and other support to families so that parents can spend more time and have better relationships with their children; reducing exam and coursework pressure; ensuring children's voices are listened to in schools; widening opportunities for young people to participate in leisure activities; and making play parks suitable for all ages and accessible for disabled children.

Carolyne Willow adds:

'Although this Government has put children at the heart of its programme, it has failed to protect the most vulnerable and has shown very little interest in helping to create a culture of respect for children's rights. International law is there to protect everyone, and that includes children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child should be nailed to the desk of every single Minister and civil servant.'