INVESTMENT to tackle child poverty must be done urgently, if the country is to protect future generations, according to Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans.

The Government may have made a start, but much more needs to be done, with funding targeted at basics such as food for a balanced and nutritious diet, decent clothing and adequate accommodation.

"Investment in our children can not come a moment too soon. By investing in our children we will be investing in the people of tomorrow. Some people see this investment as an expenditure, but it is not. As well as being morally right, it is also economically correct, as in the long run it moves people away from dependence on the state, a common aftermath of child poverty.

"Child poverty is a growing problem that should concern us all, especially here in Lancashire where according to public health experts, our children are more likely to suffer poor health, have fewer qualifications, leave school earlier and live in poorer housing than children elsewhere in the country.

"We ought to be targeting resources at our children who are in desperate need for even the basics, basics like enough food to form a sufficient and healthy diet, adequate accommodation, decent clothes to keep them warm and resources to buy books and equipment for school. It's unbelievable to think that we are in the 21st century, having made great technological advancements over the years, we have put men on the moon, developed planes that can fly faster than the speed of sound, spent millions in creating new gadgets and gismos, yet we have been unable to make inroads into tackling child poverty."

Mr Evans said funding measures to tackle poverty was vital because it would result in a healthier nation and would pay dividends for the country.

"We have a duty to ensure that no child goes hungry and that no child lives in squalor, a duty to do all we can to join in the fight against child poverty."

Lord Tony Greaves, Liberal Democrat peer for Pendle, said that East Lancashire often lost out to more inner city areas like Salford and Liverpool for funding.

"The problem is that East Lancashire is full of small and medium sized towns next to the countryside and people simply don't recognise the problems like they do in the middle of Salford or Liverpool.

"We need more recognition and more money from the Government to tackle these problems."

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