National Marriage Week

Baroness Henig Excerpts

Tuesday 20th April 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

My noble friend is absolutely right. However, the Government are committed to reducing conflict between parents, whether they are together or separated, to help them manage their differences; conflict can be damaging to children and impair parenting skills. Sometimes, separation can be the best option for a couple, but even then, continued co-operation and communication between parents promotes better outcomes for children. DWP’s Reducing Parental Conflict programme is encouraging councils across the country to integrate services and approaches that address parental conflict into their local provision for families.

[The Deputy Speaker (Baroness Henig) (Lab)]

We do not have the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, so I call the noble Lord, Lord Farmer.

[Lord Farmer (Con)]

My Lords, marriage is a protected characteristic in our equalities legislation and results in more stable families, as we have heard already. What plans do the Government have to increase the value of the married couples tax allowance in recognition of these facts or otherwise address the UK tax burden on single-earner couple families with children, which is 25% greater than the OECD average?

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

The Government’s view is that a strong, stable and happy family life is important for children and young people. That can come in many guises. It could be marriage—which could be a same-sex relationship—or one of the numerous other relationships we have in our modern society.

[The Deputy Speaker (Baroness Henig) (Lab)]

My Lords, the time allowed for this Question has now elapsed.