Marriage is best for children, and I should know says Jack Straw

JACK STRAW today launched an ambitious Government bid to boost the role of the family and reaffirm its place in society as the best institution in which to raise children.

Dismissing criticism that the measures constituted a further move towards a "nanny state", the Home Secretary said there was evidence to show families wanted support and that marriage was the best way in which two adults could bring up their children.

"I have been divorced and come from a single parent family, so I'm not lecturing anybody on their own personal relationships. This is not about lecturing people about how they should live their lives or nagging them about how to bring up their children," Mr Straw said. "It is no part of Government or Ministers' role to interfere in people's family lives or adult personal relationships. However, the evidence shows that families do want help and support and that marriage is the best way for two adults to raise their children. "Very many children are successfully brought up outside marriage and the reverse is also true so it is not our purpose to pressure people into marriage or criticise those who choose not to do so." One in five families in Britain is headed by a single parent, the largest proportion in the European Union. Tory deputy leader Peter Lilley said the Government was intruding on territory where politicians should not tread. The raft of proposals, in a Green Paper called Supporting Families, involves the establishment of a National Family and Parenting Institute with a year-round parent helpline. Plans to strengthen the institution of marriage include ending "quickie" weddings, when couples marrying in a register office give only 24 hours' notice, and introduce more flexible civil wedding ceremonies with a new role for registrars, giving prenuptial counselling. Couples could also be given a "statement of rights and responsibilities" before marrying and guidance on drawing up legally binding prenuptial agreements. They would also be encouraged to think harder before plunging into marriage, requiring a minimum 15-day notice before a wedding, with both partners involved in visiting the vicar or registrar and being given advice on their rights and responsibilities. Among the more controversial proposals is an increased role for grandparents and others with time on their hands to look after children and act as mentors - a move said to be backed by Prince Charles. The measures were warmly backed today by the charity Parent Network, whose chief executive Wendy van den Hende said: "We are pleased to see the Government valuing parents and recognising the realities of family life today. We are also delighted that the kind of education and support provided by Parent Network for well over a decade is now going to get proper government recognition." Under the new proposals there would also be an expanded role for health visitors who would make regular calls, not just after a birth. Further tax and benefit measures are envisaged to cut child poverty and firms will be encouraged to adopt more "family friendly" policies, along with a new publicity drive to tackle serious social problems such as truancy, domestic violence and school age pregnancy with boys made to "take more responsibility for their actions". Mr Straw said it was vital to stress the importance the family played in society. Lesley Garner writes: Page 29 GOVERNMENT plans to improve the youth justice system and prevent youngsters from turning to crime will get an GBP 85 million boost over the next three years, it was announced today. The new development fund will be distributed in grants to local authorities, other agencies and the voluntary sector to help develop better practice in the delivery of youth justice services and in work to prevent youth offending

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