On hunger, child development and our economy (1)

Here is a summary of influences on children as they develop. From the Lancet Commission 'A Future for our Children?" https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/future-child (2)

As a paediatrician I've learned how our children's brains are exquisitively sensitive to hunger and malnutrition. (3)

And now a diagram from the economist James Heckman who won the Nobel prize for showing the huge economic benefits from investing in early child development and good nutrition. (4)

So when Marcus Rashford and his mother Melanie want British children not to go hungry they are seeking not only justice but a better economy for all of us. (5)

And here are the responses of some of the 322 MPs who astonishingly voted against good nutrition for our children and for a strong future economy. (6)

And here is their bible, the economic guidebook for the Conservative right wing neoliberals currently running the US and British government, from the US philosopher Ayn Rand. (7)

This is not an issue about charity. Nor even just about justice. It's a much broader question about economic success, sustainability and whether we want to give all of our children a better world to live in. (8)

And why 2000 UK paediatricians are outraged and signed a letter complaining against government policy. (9)