Betrayal of our children

Infant mortality soaring under Tories. Number in extreme child poverty trebles. More than 20% of 5-yr-olds are obese

- DAVE BURKE

INFANT mortality rates have soared under the Tories, extreme child poverty trebled in three years and progress on child health is stalling, a report reveals.

The scathing document found the infant survival rate is worse than in 60% of similar countries, with widespread inequality set to make the situation worse in years to come.

Rising child poverty is partly to blame for the increase, experts found, while 2021 saw the first rise in perinatal mortality for seven years (the period from pregnancy to one year).