Current Work

Engaging with the Government's Childhood and Family Task Force
The Family Policy Project has welcomed the new Task Force and has suggested a broad remit (link) for its work. We intend to make submissions, engage in any consultation process and seek a formal role on any working group.
 
Cost of Family Breakdown Index
The Project will be responsible for this annual index (link). We are also exploring the option of beginning a reciprocal Family Benefit Index highlighting the financial benefits of families to society.
 
Family-friendly Index
We are seeking funding to create this index using other European countries for comparison. This will be used to assess the effectiveness of the new government, which aims to make the UK – in the prime Minister's words – the ‘most family friendly country in Europe’
 
Research and publications
A forthcoming report on the Future of Family Policy will look at how public policy can be better designed to encourage a culture that values family relationships, gives opportunity to exercise responsibility within them and supports families which are under pressure.

Subsequent research will look at the importance of families for specific areas of policy. Areas covered may include:

- Relationships Education – The new government is committed to funding relationships education and we are keen to influence how this is distributed.

- Marriage Tax Allowance – The new government is committed to supporting marriage in the tax system. Our research will seek to persuade more people of the argument for it and to suggest how it should be structured.

- Families and Housing – We are keen to continue our work on the importance of intergenerational living and co-location for extended family units.

- The Family Day Bill (link) – The government is keen to extend flexible working and there is an opportunity to push this Bill.

- Families and Education – Families should bear the primary responsibility for education. Policy should seek to enhance family involvement from birth through to adolescence, recognising that this will change as children mature. Family involvement occurs in all the contexts where children live and learn, not only in homes and schools but also in out-of-school-time programs and many other settings. To succeed in school and in life, young people need access to multiple supports for learning. Families are central in providing these supports and connecting them in an intentional and systematic way.  

- Families and Welfare – Family breakdown cost £41 billion last year, much of which was paid out in benefits. Strong families are essential to any attempt to reducing welfare costs.

- Families and Business – There are 3 million family businesses in the UK, employing over 9 million people and turning over in excess of £1 trillion. They are a key part of the socio-economic fabric of the UK.

- Families and the Military – Military families face significant pressures, especially as the country is at war. Any renewal of the military covenant should recognise and support military families.


See also:
Family Policy Project Background
Family Policy Project Research
Family Policy Project Media 

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