A CORNWALL councillor has launched an urgent call for immediate action on child poverty, following a report to a council committee last week which revealed high rates in some areas of the county.

Callington's Mebyon Kernow member for Callington Andrew Long launched the call after attending the latest children's overview and scrutiny committee when it was revealed that the UK had the second highest rate of child poverty in the European Union.

He said: 'I was so shocked to hear that, despite being one of the richest countries in the world, the UK has such a high rate of child poverty.

'What was even worse was the confirmation that in some of our Cornish divisions, we have rates that are over 50% higher than that appalling UK average.'

Mr Long said as part of his role as youth advocate for the Caradon Community Network he had asked for an urgent meeting of the 19 advocates across Cornwall.

'We need to put pressure on Cornwall Council and on the UK government to take this matter seriously.

'I appreciate that finances are tight across the spectrum at the moment, but this matter cannot be allowed to continue.

'Young lives are being ruined, and dealing with the issue now will save lives — and, for those whose minds are limited to the cost in pounds, it will also save the UK millions in the future if we deal with poverty, particularly with the young, now.'

Cllr Long's proposal for a meeting of the youth advocates was endorsed by the committee and will now go to full council and the cabinet for approval.