Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, gave a speech on the family on 8 July at Relate.
He said that it was important to support family relationships of all kinds and in all family formations. He talked about the need at the present time to support relationships under stress from unemployment, repossession and debt.
He presented again the Liberal Democrat proposals for leave entitlements – 18 months of parental for parents between them (after maternity and paternity leave), with six months apportioned on a “use it or lose it” basis to each parent – similar to Scandinavian systems.
He devoted the latter part of the speech to fathers, calling for three changes: (i) better leave entitlements and more work flexibility for men; (ii) greater engagement with men by maternity services at the transition to fatherhood; and (iii) changes to child support, benefits, tax and housing to facilitate a father’s continuing caring role after separation.
