Tax breaks for marriage are backed overwhelmingly by the British public, according to a new opinion poll commissioned by an independent think-tank.
The YouGov survey for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found that two thirds of people supported an extra tax allowance for married couples. And in the wake of the summer riots, more than 80% of those polled said they regarded family breakdown as a “serious” problem facing society.
Gavin Poole, CSJ executive director, said:
“Healthy families and stable childhoods should be the foundations on which we build a better Britain. And from strong families, other reforms are given room to take root. Over the last forty years our high divorce rates have plateaued but the rise in unmarried parenthood has been accompanied by an escalation in family breakdown. Our research has shown that these trends have hit the poorest the hardest.”
The CSJ has put forward a number of key recommendations to prevent family breakdown, including:
- Ministers should speak out about their support for marriage because strong families make for strong societies.
- In line with existing plans, ensure the couple penalty is removed as the welfare reforms are delivered.
- Reject recommendations from the Norgrove Interim Report on divorce for it to become a purely administrative matter rather than one dealt with by the courts.
- Provide extra help with family relationship counselling and with measures to prevent family breakdown.
- Intensive support for the most chaotic families.
