Human Rights Act will fail to deliver social justice'

The Human Rights Act 1998 is nothing more than a 'symbolic statement of the government's commitment to people's rights', and will fail to deliver social justice, according to a leading charity.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) describes the Act, which comes into force on 2 October, as having 'potential', but warns that lawyers should be 'realistic' about what the real effects of the legislation will be.

Fiona Frobisher, the group's head of welfare rights, said: 'The Human Rights Act is an important milestone - however, while recognising its potential for tackling discrimination and the abuse of power, the Act will not deliver social justice.'

Ms Frobisher drew attention to the Act's lack of provision of a right to a basic income, or a right for children to grow up free from poverty and deprivation.

Victoria MacCallum