An alliance of left-wing and trade union activists have launched their election campaign on a platform of workers' rights and public services, along with opposition to privatisation, war and cuts.

The government appears likely to miss its target of halving child poverty by 2010 by at least 600,000 children, according to figures given in yesterday's budget and highlighted by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

Insisting that “there is enough for all”, three church organisations have challenged their supporters to share, exchange and reuse, to combat the economic downturn. They say there is an alternative to a system built on greed.

Following the proposals set out in the Queen's Speech, three of Britain's largest denominations are urging the UK's politicians to “focus their concern on those who made little out of the good economic years".