Generations of young people robbed of their rightful future. - Burnham comments.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Nov 2007

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young people, today welcomed the 5th Children's Commissioner of Wales Report but warned of many underlying issues that continue to affect the young people of Wales. Speaking in plenary, Ms Burnham raised the issue of child poverty, amongst others, as a problem that cannot continue in one of the richest countries in the world.

"It is shocking that in Wales today 28% of children are living in desperate poverty. Every year we see that this problem is a continual concern for the Commissioner because of the impact of child poverty on the lives of people who live in poverty. Children who live in this situation are more susceptible to health issues and are deprived of starting life on the right foot.

"This Welsh government needs to do much more to help the situation of children living in this desperate situation. The current One Wales manifesto policy of eradicating child poverty by 2020 is totally unambitious, something I fear will be too little too late for a generation of young people."

Ends/ Diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Myrddin Edwards 02920 898345

Release/Rhyddhau: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Embargo: None