Vincent Cable MP Backs Shelter's Campaign To End Bad Housing for Children.

1.09.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Apr 2004

Local MP Vincent Cable, has today added his weight to housing charity Shelter's Million Children Campaign at Westminster, following new figures revealing that there are over 5500 children in Richmond upon Thames suffering in bad housing . He is calling on local people to join the campaign at www.shelter.org.uk.

Shelter's campaign aims to end the devastating impact of the housing crisis on one million children in Britain. The campaign report, "Toying with their future", reveals for the first time that over a million children growing up in overcrowded, unfit or emergency housing, are suffering from serious health problems, poor education and have their future blighted.

Speaking after the launch Vincent Cable said: "the borough is characterised by very expensive owner occupied houses. But there are hundred of families in over crowded social housing or privately let flats who are largely forgotten about. I see large numbers of couples with young children who are quite desperate: they cannot afford to buy a house but have a job and parents in the area and need accommodation. What there is is usually terribly over crowed or unfit."

Welcoming Vincent Cable's support for the campaign, Director of Shelter, Adam Sampson said: "There is a hidden housing crisis in Britain and over 5500 children in Richmond upon Thames are suffering the devastating consequences on their health, their education and their chances in life, that's why we have launched the Million Children Campaign. But we need as many people as possible to sign up their support by registering at www.shelter.org.uk - to help us end bad housing for the next generation of children".

Photography is available from hannah fox@shelter.org.uk 020 7505 2162.