James presses PM on problem families
17th October 2011
Thousands of the most vulnerable and troubled families in Britain are to be given additional help to build a more stable environment.
David Cameron announced the scheme in the House of Commons in response to a question from James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis.
Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Morris pressed David Cameron to take action to address the problems caused by too young people living in homes that did not offer a stable and loving family life.
The issue has been identified as one of the core factors behind the riots that took place in cities across the country.
Responding to Mr Morris, the Prime Minister announced that a new Government unit would be providing the help and support to turn around 120,000 problem families.
Mr Cameron said that “the most troubled families in our country get a huge number of interventions from the police, social services, education and the rest of it, but no one is really getting in there to help turn those families around, change what they do and give them a better chance”.
Welcoming the announcement, Mr Morris said:
“I am delighted that David Cameron is taking the strong action that is so desperately needed to address the problem of troubled families.
“We saw a large number of young people, including some from Halesowen and Rowley Regis, involved in the summer’s rioting and looting.
“Whilst we must make sure that all those involved face the full consequences of their actions, we should also be addressing the fact that many children lack a stable and loving family life.
“The action outlined by the Prime Minister will not only make a huge difference for the families concerned, but will also go a long way towards strengthening our society.”
FULL TEXT:
James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): Too many children in Britain today live in families that do not provide them with the loving and stable environment that they deserve, and that has led to many of our most pressing social problems. Would the Prime Minister agree that this Government need to do all they can to help some of Britain’s most problem families?
The Prime Minister: I completely agree with my hon. Friend. If we look at the evidence, we see that some of the most troubled families in our country get a huge number of interventions from the police, social services, education and the rest of it, but no one is really getting in there to help turn those families around, change what they do and give them a better chance. So we are establishing a new unit under the leadership of Louise Casey, who I think has been a superb official over the past decade, and we are going to be putting huge resources into turning around the 120,000 most troubled families in our country. I think we can make a huge difference for those families, and we can reduce the burden that they place on the taxpayer at the same time.
