Policies to tackle inequalities in child health: why haven't they worked (better)?

The UK Labour Government that came to power in 1997 had issued a pre-election promise to investigate and tackle inequalities in health. The new government also championed policies to promote children's well-being and life chances. Both policy stances were in stark contrast to those of the preceding administration, under whom child poverty had risen to record levels and inequalities in mortality had widened. Such stated commitments to both children and equity were unprecedented and so it is particularly important to assess whether these commitments, and the policies which flowed from them, resulted in a reduction in child health inequalities, and if not, why not.