Conservatives on track for families with a ‘safer’ UK
60% of families don’t see party policies as genuine or relevant
32% of families don’t think any party has the power to make Britain more family friendly
18% feel the Conservatives are the more ‘family friendly’ party, a marginal win over Labour with 15%
Flexible working hours NOT a priority for families – reducing crime and making UK safer is (13% vote for work arrangements compared to 27% reducing crime)
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 (http://www.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.
For more information on survey results, quotes, comment or interview opportunities with some of the country’s most influential family charities and institutions, information on National Family Week or anything else, please contact the National Family Week Press Office:
Tel: 020 8875 7960
Email: nfw@parys.com
Website: http://www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk/
Research
The research is based on a survey of 3000 registered voters (parents of children aged 16 and under), sourced by Onepoll between 7th April to 12th April 2010. National Family Week have also surveyed 1000 children through Youngpoll between 8-15 for a child’s perspective of family life. Contact the press office for more information.
About National Family Week
National Family Week (31 May-6 June) is the UK's biggest ever celebration of family life. The Week aims to encourage families to spend more quality time together and champions the benefits of a healthy, active and positive family life. No two families are alike and National Family Week celebrates diversity, supporting a range of initiatives for families of every shape and size.
Between 31 May and 6 June, over 5000 local events will take place throughout the UK for families. A 'Family Value Campaign' will see families access a huge range of special offers and discounts from meals out to camping equipment.
This unique celebration has brought together the largest coalition on family issues in the country with over 180 national partners behind The Week including the NSPCC, the National Federation of Women's Institutes and the National Literacy Trust. It also enjoys the support of thousands of local community partners across the UK spanning sports associations, local councils, museums and Sure Start Children's Centres who are running thousands of events for families to enjoy.
National Family Week is funded through commercial sponsorship including family brands Pizza Hut, Vue, and Tesco Mobile.
Highlights of National Family Week 2010:
Monday 31 May Family Week Picnic - Hundreds of picnics organised throughout the country with eight regional flagship events
Tuesday 1 June Family Week Film Day in association with Pizza Hut and Vue - Families can enjoy a day out with special offers from Pizza Hut and Vue. 1 June will also feature an exclusive UK-wide one-day-only release of Shrek Forever After, a month before its general release.
Wednesday 2 Jun Family Week Story Time - Thousands of story time sessions and activities organised throughout shopping centres, local libraries, 50 WH Smith stores and more. The National Literacy Trust will launch their new campaign aimed at improving family literacy at home.
Saturday 5 June Family Week Sports Day - National Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Three-Legged Race in Multiple Locations. Sports Days running across the UK including eight regional flagship events.