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Blair details problem family plan Problem families scheme set out
(about 12 hours later)
Tony Blair is trying to move on from speculation about his leadership by promising action to improve the "life chances" of problem families. Details of the government's plan to improve the "life chances" of problem families are to be revealed.
The prime minister last week said the government needed to intervene before children were even born to stop them turning into troublemakers later. In a speech, Tony Blair will set out a scheme to intervene before children were even born to stop them turning into troublemakers later.
He is expected to give more details of the idea, which critics say sounds like "eugenics", in a speech on Tuesday. He is expected to give more details of the idea, which critics say sounds too much like "eugenics".
It follows anger over Mr Blair's refusal to outline his departure date. Mr Blair's speech comes during a two-day regional tour which follows his summer visit to Balmoral.
'Shocking'
Downing Street says the public are interested in the real issues which affect their daily lives rather than rumours about when Mr Blair might step down.
But former Home Secretary Charles Clarke is expected to use another speech to expand on his criticisms of the government. Mr Clarke last week said Labour needed to address five fault lines because it had alienated many voters.
Early intervention will help families break the cycle of exclusion but it must be done in a way that does not stigmatise Clare TickellChildren's charity NCH PM 'right' not to name the day
Mr Blair's speech on social exclusion comes during a two-day regional tour which follows his traditional summer stay with the Queen at Balmoral.
His spokesman said: "If you look at the figures of what happens to children in care and their offending rate, that is quite shocking.His spokesman said: "If you look at the figures of what happens to children in care and their offending rate, that is quite shocking.
"What the prime minister will be setting out is a way in which we work with those who are socially excluded to try to improve their life chances. That's the key."What the prime minister will be setting out is a way in which we work with those who are socially excluded to try to improve their life chances. That's the key.
Early intervention will help families break the cycle of exclusion but it must be done in a way that does not stigmatise Clare TickellChildren's charity NCH PM 'right' not to name the day
"That's why this isn't just about trying to deal with the problem where relatively few numbers of individuals or families are causing disproportionate problems for society."That's why this isn't just about trying to deal with the problem where relatively few numbers of individuals or families are causing disproportionate problems for society.
"It's also about helping those individuals and families improve their life chances.""It's also about helping those individuals and families improve their life chances."
'Foetal Asbo fears'
Last week Mr Blair told BBC News there needed to be earlier intervention, "even pre-birth", with children of "dysfunctional families" and teenage mums who were not in stable relationships.Last week Mr Blair told BBC News there needed to be earlier intervention, "even pre-birth", with children of "dysfunctional families" and teenage mums who were not in stable relationships.
'Foetal Asbo fears'
There should be sanctions against parents who refused help, he said.There should be sanctions against parents who refused help, he said.
But he did not explain in detail how the plans would work.But he did not explain in detail how the plans would work.
The plans were branded "foetal Asbos" in the media and also came under fire from former Labour Cabinet minister Tony Benn.The plans were branded "foetal Asbos" in the media and also came under fire from former Labour Cabinet minister Tony Benn.
"This one about identifying troublesome children in the foetus - this is eugenics, the sort of thing Hitler talked about," he told BBC's Five Live."This one about identifying troublesome children in the foetus - this is eugenics, the sort of thing Hitler talked about," he told BBC's Five Live.
'No stigma''No stigma'
Children's charity NCH said Mr Blair must honour his promise to introduce lasting solutions to help the most excluded people.Children's charity NCH said Mr Blair must honour his promise to introduce lasting solutions to help the most excluded people.
The charity's chief executive, Clare Tickell, said: "Early intervention will help families break the cycle of exclusion but it must be done in a way that does not stigmatise.The charity's chief executive, Clare Tickell, said: "Early intervention will help families break the cycle of exclusion but it must be done in a way that does not stigmatise.
"The government must realise that families need support to change, not to be punished because they are struggling.""The government must realise that families need support to change, not to be punished because they are struggling."
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which is hosting Mr Blair's speech, called for a balanced approach.The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which is hosting Mr Blair's speech, called for a balanced approach.
Its director, Lord Best, said: "The underlying causes of many of society's problems can be traced back to child poverty and, although government is making progress, there is still a long way to go to meet the prime minister's pledge to end it by 2020."Its director, Lord Best, said: "The underlying causes of many of society's problems can be traced back to child poverty and, although government is making progress, there is still a long way to go to meet the prime minister's pledge to end it by 2020."
'Avoid divisions'
While Mr Blair is trying to focus attention on his policy agenda, talk about his plans to step down before the next election continues.
Several Labour MPs and some trade union leaders have urged him to end the uncertainty by setting a timetable for handing over power.
But Education Secretary Alan Johnson said Mr Blair would be handing a "gift" to the opposition parties if he named a departure date.
Mr Johnson, touted as a possible leadership or deputy leadership contender, said Labour would "look askance" at calls for a debate about its fundamental principles.
"They know that divided political parties lose elections," he said.