The United Nations placed the UK at the bottom of an international league table for child well-being in the industrialised world. Britain ranked in the bottom third for five of the six dimensions reviewed, including poverty, family relationships, and health.
Secondly, a report by influential think tank Civitas, using Department of Work and Pensions' own figures, estimated one in three households in Britain is dependent on state benefits for at least half its income. Back in the 1960s only 5% of households were so dependent on benefits.
After 10 years of false promises, massive public spending, endless welfare and education initiatives, and elaborate claims of success, we now know that all too many of our children are trapped in welfare dependency, with such terrible social consequences.
These damning reports show Brown's top-down approach has failed. Government redistribution and centralised intervention through the tax and benefits system condemns more and more people to rely on state handouts. This must change.
Creating a culture of social responsibility is key. We must give a bigger role to individuals and families in society to help tackle the causes of poverty and break free from welfare dependency. Every part of society should be encouraged to play its part.
Gordon Brown will never trust the people, it is not in his nature. But he should. He should start to share responsibility and trust the people of Britain. Our children are our future. For all our sakes we must equip them to take responsibility for their own lives so that, as adults, they can help others.
