We need a minister for families, says Tory
A FORMER social policy adviser to David Cameron has urged Boris Johnson to create a minister for families, using a Hungarian role model.
Senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes, an ex-children’s minister, said: “Last year, a group of Conservative MPS, including me, called for a review of tax and benefits to support strong family units which are critical in improving outcomes for children and providing societal stability.
“I really think we need a recognised families minister who can oversee family-friendly policy right across all departments.
“We need a social and cultural renaissance that recognises the importance of strong family units and provides
‘A review of tax and benefits’
support and encouragement for people to have families.”
Research from groups including the Centre for Social Justice have suggested supporting family units improves stability and children’s prospects, especially the poorest, and reduces criminality.
Sir John said the Prime Minister should study radical changes in Hungary to promote and support families.
Prime Ministerviktor Orban’s government has a cabinet minister chairing a committee to look at how policies affect family life.
Hungary has also transformed its tax and benefits system to help encourage stable families.
Policies include a payment of up to £28,000 to help young couples who commit to having children buy a house.
There is also a low-interest loan of about £40,000 and a second general purpose loan of around £28,000.
The second loan is cancelled if families have three or more children and women will have their student tuition fees paid off and mortgages reduced.
Women who have children are exempt income tax for life.
Unemployment in Hungary is just 3.5 per cent, it has the world’s lowest gender pay gap and 4.6 per cent of GDP is spent on supporting families.
Divorce is at a 60-year low, abortions have decreased by 30 four from per cent since 2010 and the number of marriages is at a 40-year high.
Hungary’s family and youth affairs minister, Katalin Novak, told the Sunday Express: “We are putting the emphasis on families, not only in family policy issues, but all through our governance.”
Ms Novak said a declining population since 1981 was also behind Hungary’s decision to promote family policy.
“When we started, our fertility rate was 1.23, which was very poor,” she said.
“We have an ageing population and a shrinking population and we don’t want to solve this with immigration.”