Barnardo's response to the Queen's Speech delivered by Prince Charles

Published on
10 May 2022

Boris Johnson’s government unveiled plans for the coming parliament in today's Queen’s Speech, which was delivered by Prince Charles

In response Barnardo's Chief Executive Lynn Perry said:  "The Queen’s Speech does not go far enough to address long-term problems facing children and young people throughout the UK, like the crisis in mental health and growing numbers of families in poverty.   

"We welcome the Government's commitment to children’s education, but the Schools Bill must address the mental health and wellbeing issues that have dramatically increased during the pandemic, by speeding up the rollout of mental health support teams to all schools.  

“We are also very disappointed that today’s Levelling Up Bill does not include clear measures to tackle child poverty, health inequality or improve opportunities for the most disadvantaged. And, with the upcoming publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, it is also troubling that the speech did not include any legislation to ensure better support for children in care.”