DWP announces support to aid workless families

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced new plans to help workless families break out of unemployment and disadvantage.

The DWP cited research which estimated around 300,000 workless families are potentially affected by conflict between parents, warning that children’s emotional, behavioural and educational success are strongly influenced by their parents’ relationship.

The findings indicated that children whose parents are in long-term, unresolved conflict with one another – whether or not their parents are together – are less likely to do well in school and in adulthood. A child is also more likely to do well if they have a close, supportive relationship with their father and this is made more difficult when separated parents are in conflict. Only half of children in separated families see their non-resident parent every fortnight or more.

To help address one of these root causes of disadvantage, the government has announced a ‘Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families programme, backed by £30 million, to help parents resolve conflict and improve children’s chances of succeeding in life.

Damian Green, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “I don’t want any child to be defined by the circumstances of their birth. Every child should benefit from a strong relationship between their parents – whether they are together or separated.

“Today marks the start of new support to help families overcome the problems they face to make sure that every child can go as far as their talents will take them.”