Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said: “For too long, children have been failed by our health system. Thousands sit on lengthy waiting lists for mental health support, many of them unable to attend school until they get the help they desperately need.
"Others are unable to access an NHS dentist, whilst families find themselves struggling to get the support they need until it's too late. This is against a backdrop of rising type 2 diabetes, obesity and other diet related diseases.
"We welcome many of today's announcements - particularly the focus on helping people within their communities. We know through our own work running family hubs just how important it is for families to get the help they need before reaching crisis point.
"We also welcome plans to provide support for children on low incomes and have long called for an increase in the value of shopping vouchers given to families with young children living on the lowest budgets. It's vital that all young children across the UK have access to nutritious food that will give them the best chance in life.
"We look forward to seeing more detail on these plans - particularly about how these reforms will be backed by funding - and urge the government to make sure children's voices are at the heart of any decisions being made."