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Approximately one million children throughout the UK face being trapped in the same cycle of deprivation as their parents and leading children’s charity Action for Children (Northern Ireland) is calling on local politicians to take action.

Signing the Action for Children’s pledge, Mr Durkan said: “I am delighted to support essential early intervention services that offer vulnerable children and families the support they need to break free from the challenges they face and stop problems being passed down through generations.

“Severe deprivation places families under stress and destroys children’s lives, leaving them at greater risk of mental illness, poor health, drug and alcohol problems and long-term unemployment. Over a long period, deprivation also increases the risk of child neglect.

“Such deprivation and neglect is a scourge on society which must be eradicated.”