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.

Married poor more stable than unmarried rich
KEY FINDINGS Nearly nine in 10 parents still together with children aged 13-15 are married Cohabiting parents three times more likely to break-up Stability gap