UK 'must try harder' to be family-friendly, as FPI gives low marks on family policy

The FPI also awards a C for the country’s maternity and paternity leave entitlements and C-minus on child and pensioner poverty.

Overall, the UK’s family-friendly score is C-minus. The UK performed best for work-life balance, for coming top in an EU study which found that British employers led the way in allowing staff to switch from full-time to part-time working and for offering more flexible working arrangements.

The UK Family Friendly Report Card was released at the FPI’s conference in Westminster on Tuesday, which was addressed by children’s minister Sarah Teather.

Dr Katherine Rake, chief executive of the FPI, said the new Government had an opportunity to 'family-proof' new policies and create conditions to help families thrive.

‘The previous Labour administration got many things right on family policy. Sure Start, for example, has been a great leap forward for British children. But Labour failed to fully prioritise families in the way they deserve,’ she said.

‘Our new Prime Minister, David Cameron, has pledged to make Britain a truly family-friendly country. This is a laudable ambition. But as the Report Card shows, there is a considerable distance to go before this can be achieved.

 ‘The Family and Parenting Institute will continue to award this country with a family-friendly grade every summer in exam season. I am hopeful that we will see improvement made. But for now, the judgement for the 2009-2010 year is "must try harder" for the UK on family policy.’