The rights of the child

SIR – Britain has a proud history of pioneering children’s rights. There is no reason we cannot build upon this following our withdrawal from the EU.

We must acknowledge the progress that has been made at an EU level. The EU has invested resources in children’s welfare, and produced a wealth of EU law and policy to safeguard them against violence and exploitation, poverty and social exclusion.

It is now crucial that Britain should once again demonstrate, as the Prime Minister has said, our “moral leadership” in setting an example for others in protecting vulnerable young people.

After withdrawal, the UK must ensure equality of opportunity for children. This will entail ensuring that services are maintained when the European Social Fund is lost.

We are calling on parliamentarians to ensure that no amendment to the statute book is made without due consideration of the UK’S commitments to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Together we must improve the future for children. Dr Carol Homden

Chief Executive, Coram Matthew Reed Chief Executive, The Children’s Society Anna Feuchtwang

Chief Executive National Children’s Bureau Kathy Evans

Chief Executive, Children England and five others; see telegraph.co.uk