Commissioner warns children face extreme inequality in England as services reach “state of emergency”

Unequal childhood experiences

The report, called the Childhood Lottery, examines challenges faced by children across England. It found that differences in children’s experiences cannot be explained by deprivation alone. Dame Rachel de Souza wrote that she could not regard the current situation as anything less than a national emergency. The report describes children’s services as being in a “state of emergency.”

Gaps in outcomes and support

In Richmond upon Thames, 70% of children achieved good grades in English and maths GCSEs, compared with 31% in Knowsley. Across England, 55% of children do not achieve a good standard in those subjects.

More than one million children were referred to mental health services in 2024-25. In four local council areas, spending on youth services per teenager was zero.

Places facing the toughest challenges

The report ranked Middlesbrough, Hounslow, Bradford, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland and Medway as the hardest places in England to grow up. It also cited a million people in the UK aged 16 to 24 who are not in employment, education or training.

Proposed standards and funding

De Souza called for a minimum set of standards covering how children are affected by education, policing, health and youth services. She also proposed an emergency fund to pay for service improvements where they are needed. The report says general poverty is not always to blame for poor children’s services, underscoring the need to address differences between local areas.