Child protection charity the NSPCC attacked the Government for failing to include legislation in this week's Queen's Speech to establish a a children's commissioner for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The attacks comes as the charity welcomed plans to extend the role and powers of the new Children's Commissioner for Wales.

A spokesperson said: "It is ludicrous for the Government to allow children a statutory champion in one part of the UK but deny similar protection to the rest."

Mary Marsh, NSPCC Director, said: "The extension of the powers of the Children's Commissioner for Wales is a real step forward for children in Wales.

"But child abuse does not stop at the border between Wales and England. All our children in all parts of the UK need an independent Commissioner to champion their needs.

"The NSPCC believes the appointment of Children's Commissioners must be part of a comprehensive and integrated children's policy from Government to show their commitment to children across the UK."

In September the NSPCC, Barnardos and the Child Poverty Action Group presented all political parties with a blueprint for Government on children's issueswhich included demands for a Cabinet Minister for Children and the introduction of child well-being indicators giving systematic and regular analysis of the state of the UK's children.

The charity also condemned the Government's plans to bring in curfews on teenagers as a means of addressing the problems of "yob culture".

Ms Marsh said: "The move could alienate young people, label them all as potential criminals and push any problems around drugs and crime into other areas. It would be more effective to seek co-operation from young people and parents in crime prevention."