Counselling cuts make me furious

THIS isn’t a political column, but something is making me furious. It seems this misguided Government is about to make another big mistake — in that civil servants have been tasked with drawing up plans to cut the existing funding that goes to marriage guidance and other relationship counselling.

How stupid and short-sighted can politicians get? Yet the UK has one of the highest rates of family break-up in the world.

Former Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith disapproves. He says the Government is reviewing policy announced in 2016, which allows for £70 million to be spent on counselling over five years, but ‘without this funding, innumerable families and couples will no longer be able to access marriage and relationship support, particularly those on low incomes and vulnerable groups who often need it the most’.

Now there’s a wise man — and let’s hope our happily married PM listens to him.

The trouble is, those with loving families often have no idea of the misery caused by bad relationships, the damage to children, to mental health, to the stability of society — and to the economy. This is huge.

To declare an interest, I am patron of the relationships charity, Relate — which (once the National Marriage Guidance Council) will be 80 years old next year. Did you know that for every £1 spent, Relate’s couple counselling saves the public purse an estimated £11.40?

Some 95 per cent of clients say their communication was better after attending counselling, and 85 per cent say they feel able to cope with any difficulties they might face in the future.

But if Relate and similar charities are to continue with this vital work, the Government

has to understand their value. Research shows 18 per cent of UK adults are in distressed relationships, with 1.4 million families at breaking point.

Make no mistake, breakdown can lead to loneliness, depression, homelessness, debt and many other life-shattering problems which load severe pressures on our public services.

For God’s sake, this matters.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, london W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. A pseudonym will be used if you wish. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.