IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6th February 2003
GOVERNMENT’S FAMILY LIFE DILEMMA
Dr
David H Olson PHD from the University of Minnesota, a World renowned authority
on marital therapy, and Professor Richard Whitfield, a specialist in
Human Development will be joined by a gathering of key influencers from charities,
communities and churches for the National Marriage Week press launch, conference
and exhibition which begins today.
The
event which will be held at The Merchant Taylor’s Hall, Threadneedle Street,
London, Thursday February 6th - 11.am, is likely to make uncomfortable listening
for New Labour who have for the first time in seven years distanced themselves
from National Marriage Week by axing the grant to support the campaign, and
continue to provide an inadequate £5,million p/a to cover the entire Marriage
and Relationship support budget.
Ex
Falklands veteran, Harry Benson, whose project in Bristol receives a
slice of the cash speaking at the event, will say, “The State spends £15 billion
dealing with the fall-out of broken marriages – yet for every £3,000 spent on
family breakdown only £1 is spent trying to keep families together”
Whitfield,
speaking at the event will say, “ Despite strident references to family issues
within his 1997 and 1998 speeches to New Labour's Party Conferences, the Prime
Minister and the Government’s policies still do not provide even a level playing
field for couples who marry, and there is little or no fiscal encouragement
for two-parent families, a family structure that research shows conclusively
should be actively supported”; that, Professor Whitfield suggests, can be done
without unhelpfully stigmatising other forms of family.
In
a personal letter to National Marriage Week, Iain Duncan Smith said,
“For me as a politician, there are three reasons why public policy should support
the institution of marriage. First, marriage is still a very popular aspiration.
Second, marriage underpins a fair and just society that is serious about caring
and nurturing children. And, third, marriage is an essential institution
for building strong and safe communities”.
Chief
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and Rev Joel Edwards, General Director of the
Evangelical Alliance speaking at the event will be explaining the unique role
of marriage in building strong communities.
Olson
will highlight the outcomes from the 2000 US National Survey and explain what’s
happening in the US Government as a result, including an emerging pro marriage
consensus. Commenting on early outcomes of the new initiative, Olson,
will explain the current trend in the USA to fund unambiguously pro marriage
projects in both middle class and deprived areas.
Meanwhile
as part of National Marriage Week, the first ever Community Marriage Policy
will be signed by Registrars and around 25 church leaders in Bath on February
11th. Bath Superintendent Registrar, Judy Stone said, “As we come in to
contact with couples wishing to marry we are well placed to offer them strategies
to help them avoid unnecessary breakdown”.
National
Marriage Week, now approaching its seventh year is designed to be an aide memoir
to the nation, encouraging couples to talk about their marriages and build positive
skills into the relationship. Founder and Director of Marriage Week, which is
now an international event, Richard Kane said “Marriage Week is here
to remind couples to stay true to each other, and learn to love each other even
more”.
Also speaking at the conference Val Gilfillan, Superintendent Registrar at Taunton will be explaining exactly how Registry Offices can take a much more proactive role in preparing couples for marriage. Gilfillan said, “We all need to work together to make people appreciate the real benefits of marriage”.
Ends
Notes.
Public statements to coincide with National Marriage Week have been made by Archbishop Rowan Williams, Indiarjit Singh, Joel Edwards and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor available at here
Judy Stone. Bath Register Office. 01225 312032
Chris Grimshaw. CFT. 01803 732278 www.timeforframilies.org.uk
Richard
Kane. National Marriage Week 01202 883887 / 07702 426500 www.nmw.org.uk
Harry
Benson. www.bcft.co.uk 0117 924 1480
David
Olson. C/O John Deagle 07803 903 490 www. www.prepare-enrich.co.uk