Time to treat single parent families fairly says Gingerbread, as David Cameron addresses its AGM

Single parent charity Gingerbread today called for politicians to spell out how they will support single parents, as the debate around family policy takes centre stage.  Both the Government and the Conservatives are expected to publish Green Papers on family policy soon.  Gingerbread’s report launched today, Single parents, equal families, calls for a clear commitment by all parties to policies that support the one in four children brought up in a single parent family.

Gingerbread wants to see:

The 1.9 million single parent families in Britain recognised and their contribution valued.  The way single parents are often talked about is out of touch with the reality of 1 in 4 families’ lives.  Politicians should commit to not stigmatising single parent families.

Policies that help children in all families do well. International and UK evidence reviews published this year show that it is not single parenthood itself that affects how children get on.  We need to tackle the real issues that impact on how children fare like poverty and conflict.

Financial support based on need. With 4 million children still in poverty and public funding under pressure, financial support for families should be based on what families need to escape poverty and allocated fairly according to need not family type.  Single parents want their children to have the same life chances as other children. 

Putting children first when parents separate: Separating parents need support to deal with conflict and keep both parents engaged with their children.  Nearly 1 in 3 do not see the non- resident parent.   Family law should base decisions about where children should live and their contact arrangements on the best interests of the child, and not make any ‘presumption’ that one form of contact arrangement is preferable.

Welfare to work schemes that recognise that parents have children to care for:   Nearly 60 per cent of single parents now work, but new tough job- search conditions won’t help them find the flexible jobs they need.

Chief Executive of Gingerbread Fiona Weir said:
 

“Single parents tell us what matters to them is that their children don’t miss out and that they are not made to feel like second class families.  They are not asking for special treatment – just for their children to have the same life chances as other children.  We are asking politicians to spell out what they will do to help the 1 in 4 children growing up in single parent families”.

 Notes to editors:

David Cameron MP, leader of the Conservative party, will address Gingerbread’s AGM  on  Monday 7 December. The speech will be made available by David Cameron’s press office.

Gingerbread’s report, Single parents, equal families: family policy for the next decade will be published on Monday 7th December.  

Read Cameron's speech to Gingerbread’s AGM