Children & Families
Britain has one of the highest family breakdown rates in the western world. In 2021, more children were born to unmarried couples than to those who were married. Half of all children grow up in separate households. We have the unhappiest teenagers in Europe.
This has a devastating impact. On average, children from broken homes suffer from more educational failure, unemployment, homelessness and poverty. They suffer from more mental health issues, substance abuse, crime and imprisonment. This is a social and economic catastrophe that costs taxpayers tens of billions every year.
Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days:
Support Marriage Through the Tax system.
Germany and France let married couples with children share their tax allowance. British married couples with children deserve the same. As soon as finances allow, introduce a UK 25% transferable marriage tax allowance. This would mean no tax on the first £25,000 of income for either spouse. (Based on our higher income tax starting point of £20,000 per person). This will help make work pay, helping people trapped on benefits back into the workplace so reducing the benefits bill.
Choice for Stay at Home Mums or Dads.
The majority of mothers would choose to stay at home more if they could. ‘Frontloading’ the Child Benefit system for children aged 1-4 would give parents the choice to spend more time with their children.
Mandate Single Sex Spaces.
Public toilets and changing areas must provide single sex facilities.
Promote Child Friendly App Restricted Smartphones.
Reduce social media harms for children.
Thereafter:
Launch inquiry into Social Media Harms.
Social media is associated with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, suicide and the child mental health crisis. Critically, social media can change both behaviour and belief without the user’s consent. Protect children’s mental health. (Potential social media ban for under 16s if practicable.)
Review the Online Safety Bill.
Social media giants that push baseless transgender ideology and divisive Critical Race theory should have no role in regulating free speech.