When couples split up, families move from one to two households. Poverty is a common outcome that affects children. Six out of ten lone parents are supported by the state compared to one out of ten couple parents. That's where most of the £50bn is spent.
Divided Nation: The different futures for those who marry, or don’t
Overall, two thirds of women who get married and have children remain with the father for life. Among women who never marry, just one in