How will the coalition newly-weds address family policy?
In his first speech as Prime Minister, David Cameron spoke encouragingly about his desire to ‘build a society with stronger families and stronger communities’. The Relationships Foundation has consistently argued that relationships, and family relationships in particular, should be a central and cross-cutting theme of a new government and has advocated the Triple Test – economic, environmental and social – for all policy.
However, in the seven-page long coalition document the economy dominates, environment gets a whole page, but the word ‘family’ doesn’t even appear.
While there is merit in refocusing the former DCFS on its original role as the Department for Education, losing Family from any Cabinet minister’s primary responsibility is a strange act, given the Conservative manifesto pledge to make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe. (The DfE website defines its role as ‘responsible for education and children’s services’, with the only formal responsibility for families disclosed so far delegated to junior ministers.)
But there needs to be top-level leadership on the family and there is much to recommend the view that family policy should have a central role in government, based perhaps at the Cabinet Office, rather than with one of the spending departments.
Outcomes in many areas – not least education, health, welfare and community safety – depend on the family. The decisions of many government departments impact on the family – intentionally or otherwise. If there is no voice to prompt action and hold departments to account, then it will be all too easy for this key issue to slip through the net.
The government is right to recognise that it cannot deliver stronger family relationships by legislative fiat. It is right to recognise that progress cannot simply be bought with the nation’s credit card. However, if David Cameron’s government is really to help build stronger families the issue must be at the heart of his government.
ENDS
See also the Relationships Foundation’s work from 2009 on the costs of family failure with suggestions on how to move towards solutions: When Relationships Go Right/When Relationships Go Wrong, updated for 2010 in Briefing Note 2