Family-friendly policies must not be abandoned

Maria Miller, the Shadow Families Minister, has stressed that the Government must not abandon family-friendly policies during this time of economic difficulty.

Recent research by Mumsnet and Dad Info has shown that more than four-fifths of parents want to work flexibly.

And Maria stressed, “The current economic climate is very difficult for business but as the recession hits, families will be under more strain than ever looking for ways to balance work with raising a family.”

She pointed to evidence that shows that the rate of family breakdown increases as a result of debt and unemployment – and said:

“Instead of abandoning family-friendly policies, the Government should instead be looking at the more fundamental ways it can help business, through easing the tax burden.”