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Lib Dems promise to help families Lib Dems promise to help families
(about 7 hours later)
The Liberal Democrats are promising to help families stay together by ending the "bias" against couples in the taxation system.The Liberal Democrats are promising to help families stay together by ending the "bias" against couples in the taxation system.
Leader Sir Menzies Campbell will say the party would introduce a "couples' premium" into the child tax credit.Leader Sir Menzies Campbell will say the party would introduce a "couples' premium" into the child tax credit.
He will also promise to set the child benefit level for all children to that of the first-born, costing £1.7bn.He will also promise to set the child benefit level for all children to that of the first-born, costing £1.7bn.
The party would encourage lone parents to return to work when their youngest child is 12, Sir Menzies will say. The party will encourage lone parents to return to work when their youngest child is 12, Sir Menzies will say.
'Discourage dependency''Discourage dependency'
There is currently "very little incentive or support for lone parents to return to work until their youngest child is 16 years old", he will add.There is currently "very little incentive or support for lone parents to return to work until their youngest child is 16 years old", he will add.
"In most other European countries, the age at which parents are expected to look for work is considerably lower""In most other European countries, the age at which parents are expected to look for work is considerably lower"
The Liberal Democrats must be a party of the affluent and compassionate middle classes, but of those struggling to make ends meet Sir Menzies Campbell The Liberal Democrats must be a party not only of the affluent and compassionate middle classes, but of those struggling to make ends meet Sir Menzies Campbell
Returning earlier "might discourage dependency and reduce child poverty too", Sir Menzies is expected to argue.Returning earlier "might discourage dependency and reduce child poverty too", Sir Menzies is expected to argue.
He will tell the Institute for Public Policy Research that the state should "stop encouraging" couples to split up, adding: "This is not about the state telling people how to live their lives.He will tell the Institute for Public Policy Research that the state should "stop encouraging" couples to split up, adding: "This is not about the state telling people how to live their lives.
"But it is about removing the financial penalty that low-income parents incur if they choose to stay together.""But it is about removing the financial penalty that low-income parents incur if they choose to stay together."
The Lib Dems estimate that setting child benefit at the same level for all will move 300,000 children out of poverty.The Lib Dems estimate that setting child benefit at the same level for all will move 300,000 children out of poverty.
Sir Menzies will say the party must "take the fight for a fairer Britain into the mainstream of British politics and into the heartlands of the Labour Party".Sir Menzies will say the party must "take the fight for a fairer Britain into the mainstream of British politics and into the heartlands of the Labour Party".
He will add: "The Liberal Democrats must be a party not only of the affluent and compassionate middle class, but of those struggling to make ends meet."
Last week, Conservative leader David Cameron said couples should be "encouraged to get together and stay together", possibly with the help of changes to taxation.Last week, Conservative leader David Cameron said couples should be "encouraged to get together and stay together", possibly with the help of changes to taxation.
This followed a report by previous leader Iain Duncan Smith which found family splits caused social problems costing £20bn.This followed a report by previous leader Iain Duncan Smith which found family splits caused social problems costing £20bn.