60% of UK families sceptical of political policies

Making the UK safer and reducing crime would be the main priority for parents as one of the first things they would do to create a more family friendly UK.

According to a poll of 3000 parents by annual family initiative, National Family Week (nationalfamilyweek.co.uk), making the UK safer/reducing crime was seen as the most important thing to do in order to achieve a more family friendly environment in the UK, followed by the option to provide more financial assistance and then improve education standards.

Therefore the Conservatives seem to be on track with what is important to families. Labour’s focus on flexible working came in fourth on the list of priorities for parents whilst improving childcare facilities lagged in fifth place. Improving housing, the environment and supporting the aged all wallowed at a 4-5% priority rating.

Not that any of it seems to much matter as more almost a third of parents surveyed don’t believe any party has the power to make the UK more family friendly and 60% answered ‘It’s just lip service – they are just looking for votes’ when asked if they felt the current political focus on family and family policy was genuine. A quarter of those surveyed, more than committed faith to any of the three parties, are still unsure as to whom they would trust.

When it comes to a ‘family friendly’ UK, the Conservatives are in front with 18% of parents polled thinking they have the best chance of making the UK more family friendly, followed by labour on 15 and the Lib Dems on barely 10%.

National Family Week takes place this year from 31 May to 6 June. Local community organisations, councils, sports associations, libraries and other groups are running over 5000 events throughout the country for families to enjoy throughout the summer half term holiday, encouraging quality time spent together and promoting the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.