Lib Dems unveil family friendly policies
The Liberal Democrats today set out plans to extend pre and after school care to all schools, and increase nursery care for three and four year olds.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy also detailed his party’s plans to offer new mothers a guaranteed minimum income of £170 per week for the first six months after the birth of their first child.
At a press conference in Eastleigh, Mr Kennedy said the plans were designed to accommodate the changing shape of families in the 21st century.
“It recognises that in the 21st century, the modern British family comes in many shapes and sizes. We are no longer a nation that has one universal family structure,” he said.
Under the plans for childcare, the Lib Dems also want to reduce class sizes for five to seven year olds, create £3,500 Children’s Centres and open schools from 0800 to 1800.
The party’s plans to axe council tax, allied to making housing more affordable and offering help for parents and young adults to find work, are also aimed at improving family security.
Lib Dems would also introduce a rights-based Children’s Commissioner and reform child custody arrangements according to the best interests of the child.
“Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his open letter to the party leaders, called for ‘a programme for fuller and better family support, fuller and better care for our children throughout society’. Our Manifesto for Families sets out just such a programme,” Mr Kennedy added.
Sandra Gidley, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on women and older people, said: “Liberal Democrats would look after the family from the cradle to the grave.”
