I’ve done a very quick review of the family policies of the five main parties, so you don’t have to. Please note that this implies nothing about any of their other policies or who Marriage Foundation favours. It’s just a snapshot observation of what they’ve said in the ‘family’ section of their manifestos, if they have one …  Click on the images to find the full manifestos. I’ve given the relevant page numbers in brackets.

Gold star and clear medal goes to Reform.

They are the only party to acknowledge the scale of family breakdown in the UK.

They also acknowledge marriage and seek to front load Child Benefit, as we recommend.

Well done! (See p16 of the manifesto)

In 2nd place are the Social Democrat Party

Transferrable tax allowances help single earner couples.

Housing rights for married couples is certainly a flag in the ground about marriage. I will be interested to see if anyone challenges them on this pro-marriage policy as being anti-everyone else. Unlike tax and welfare, housing supply is a zero-sum game.

Alas, none of the other stuff will reduce family breakdown. (See p13)

In equal 3rd place are the Conservatives.

As the supposed party of strong families and marriage, the lack of commentary about our record levels of family breakdown and low levels of marriage is very disappointing.

Childcare and help for parents is fine if you think the state should do more to bring up your children.

The plan to move Child Benefit to household basis is interesting, but sets a precedent that undermines the core principle that tax is individual. (see p18)

Also in equal 3rd place are the Lib Dems.

I don’t agree with all of these policies but at least they’ve thought about family legal issues.

Rights for cohabiting couples on separation or death is fair enough although I think it undermines commitment. The wedding proposal is unarguable. Alas none of these recommendations will reduce family breakdown or boost marriage. (see p95)

Wooden spoon goes to Labour for not thinking about family policy at all.

Is that it? (see p68)

Well, don’t expect the tide to turn on family breakdown in the next parliament if this is the extent of their thinking.

Boo.

Harry Benson, Research Director, 17 June 2024