RESEARCHERS from the University of York have placed Britain near the bottom of a league table which ranks the well-being of European youngsters.

In a report commission by The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), university researchers found that high numbers of youngsters in workless families, poor local environments and the low numbers in education or training left the UK trailing 24th out of 29 countries listed.

That was well below the performance of countries such as Germany, which came eighth, and France ranked 15th, and a long way behind the continent’s best-off children, in Holland and Scandinavia.

Only Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta fared worse, according to the research, which was based on data from 2006.

Among other factors which resulted in a low score for the UK were poor immunisation rates, children more likely to report poor or fair health and a relatively poor ability to communicate with parents.

The Child Poverty Action Group said the Government was using the right kinds of policy but had failed to back them with sufficient resources.

The group is one of 150 organisations which have joined forces to call on Chancellor Alistair Darling to announce a £3 billion-plus boost to benefits and tax credits for low income families in today’s Budget.

Chief executive Kate Green said: “The last time a child well-being league table was published, British people were shocked when the UK came last.

“This time we need a frank focus on why other countries are doing so much better for their children. Public resolve and political action to put children first are more important than another round of hand-wringing.

“Government action like Sure Start, child tax credit and the children’s plan will already be making a difference, but more is needed.

“All political parties must pledge to direct more of our national resources towards making children’s lives better.

“The report shows a clear link between high levels of child wellbeing and low levels of child poverty. If we fail to protect families during the downturn, progress on child wellbeing could go into reverse.

“The Chancellor must take the final steps needed to keep the promise to halve child poverty by 2010.”

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes said the Government had made “wide-ranging improvements” since the time the data was collected.

“The fact that we created a new Government department to focus solely on children, schools and families shows the increased importance being given to children in this country,” she said.

“Our Children’s Plan is our long- term vision and it puts children and families at the centre of everything Government does.”