England's Children Face 'Dickensian' Inequality, Report Warns

England's children are facing a national "emergency" due to "Dickensian" inequalities that significantly impact their life chances, according to a landmark report by Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England.

The most extensive data analysis of its kind, which examined 162 measures across health, education, criminality, housing, and welfare, found significant variations in outcomes among different council areas.

Middlesbrough in the North East was identified as the area faring the worst for children, while Cheshire East in the North West was found to be the best. Other areas struggling include Hounslow in west London, Bradford in West Yorkshire, and Nottingham in the East Midlands. Conversely, children in Surrey in the South East, and the London boroughs of Merton and Richmond upon Thames, were found to be among the most privileged.

The report, which analyzed data from the Department for Education and ten other public bodies, highlights critical issues such as a third of children not being "school ready" by the time they start Reception class, and over half of pupils failing to achieve a good standard in English and maths GCSEs at age 16.

"Every single local area in England has work to do to make lives better for their children," Dame Rachel stated. "In some communities, these challenges amount to nothing less than a state of emergency. Not everywhere. But what we see here is a litany of failure. In so many areas of the country, children are being radically failed."

Specific disparities were detailed, with children in Blackpool, Lancashire, being 27 times more likely to be missing from education than pupils in Lambeth, south London, and 46 times more likely to be excluded than children from Wiltshire. The proportion of children achieving a good pass in English and maths GCSEs ranged from 70% in Richmond upon Thames to 31% in Knowsley, near Liverpool.

Access to enjoyable activities also varied, with 93% of children in Richmond upon Thames reporting such access compared to 72% in Knowsley. Library access showed Westmorland and Furness performing best and Sunderland worst. Feelings of safety were also a concern, with almost a quarter of children in Croydon, south London, reporting feeling unsafe, compared to less than 7% in Bedford.

The number of children living in temporary accommodation fluctuated dramatically, from one per 10,000 in Hartlepool, County Durham, to 1,169 per 10,000 in Westminster, London.

Cheshire East achieved the highest overall score with 730 out of 960 possible points, attributed to low rates of children in temporary accommodation, minimal school absence, and high vaccination and dental care uptake. Middlesbrough's lowest score of 408 points was linked to a high proportion of children feeling unsafe, significant school absence and exclusion, poor early primary school development, and a lack of public playgrounds.

Dame Rachel has urged the Prime Minister to establish a children's emergency fund to ensure services meet a minimum standard across all regions and proposed appointing a deputy mayor in each area as part of devolution efforts to address these issues.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell responded by outlining current investments and reforms, including increased childcare support, higher school standards, community support through youth strategies and hubs, and expanded training and job opportunities. "Alongside that, I'm bringing local leaders together to help shape the future of education in their areas. We're putting more power in their hands to deliver," she stated.