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Tories consider family tax reform Tories consider family tax reform
(9 minutes later)
Taxes and benefits must be transformed to strengthen families and cut the "social breakdown" which costs £102bn a year, a Tory policy group says.Taxes and benefits must be transformed to strengthen families and cut the "social breakdown" which costs £102bn a year, a Tory policy group says.
Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith's report calls for the "biggest shake-up of the welfare system" since the 1940s.Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith's report calls for the "biggest shake-up of the welfare system" since the 1940s.
It backs tax breaks for married couples if one parent stays at home and trebling child benefit for the first three years - with lower levels later. It backs tax breaks for some married couples, trebling child benefit for the first three years and getting more single parents off benefits earlier.
But Labour said the proposals would "discriminate" against some families.But Labour said the proposals would "discriminate" against some families.
'Not moralising''Not moralising'
Mr Duncan Smith's policy group was established by Conservative leader David Cameron to advise on policy options - its recommendations are not binding on the party.Mr Duncan Smith's policy group was established by Conservative leader David Cameron to advise on policy options - its recommendations are not binding on the party.
Mr Duncan Smith said: "I'm concerned with introducing policies that are practical and effective.... I don't think this is about moralising." It says social breakdown results in costs to the UK of £102bn a year - with family breakdown taking up £24bn, crime £60bn and educational under-achievement £18bn.
He said social breakdown cost £102bn a year - £24bn for family breakdown, £60bn in crime and some £18bn in educational under-achievement.
The transferable tax allowance, worth around £20-a-week, would be aimed at making it easier for one parent to stay at home to look after children or elderly relatives.
It's not going to be a golden bullet Iain Duncan SmithIt's not going to be a golden bullet Iain Duncan Smith
The transferable married couples tax allowance, worth around £20-a-week, would be aimed at making it easier for one parent to stay at home to look after children or elderly relatives.
If applied to all married couples, it would cost £3.2bn a year.If applied to all married couples, it would cost £3.2bn a year.
Further proposals among the 190 put forward include: Mr Duncan Smith, launching the 671 page report which makes 190 policy recommendations, said: "I'm concerned with introducing policies that are practical and effective.... I don't think this is about moralising."
Key proposals include:
  • Allowing parents to "front load" child benefit, getting up to £2,800 a year up to the age of three and less when the child is older
  • Allowing parents to "front load" child benefit, getting up to £2,800 a year up to the age of three and less when the child is older
  • Lone parents expected to work 16 hours a week when youngest child reaches five and 30 hours a week when youngest child reaches 11
  • Lone parents expected to work 16 hours a week when youngest child reaches five and 30 hours a week when youngest child reaches 11
  • Raising tax on alcohol to tackle binge drinking
  • Raising tax on alcohol to tackle binge drinking
  • State schools judged as "failing" to be taken over by parents and charities, with pupils in disadvantaged schools getting £500 for extra tuition - academic, musical or sporting
  • State schools judged as "failing" to be taken over by parents and charities, with pupils in disadvantaged schools getting £500 for extra tuition - academic, musical or sporting
  • Reclassifying cannabis - which was downgraded to a class C drug - back to class B
  • Reclassifying cannabis - which was downgraded to a class C drug - back to class B
  • A greater role for credit unions offering low-interest loans to low-income families to help protect them from loan sharks
  • A greater role for credit unions offering low-interest loans to low-income families to help protect them from loan sharks
  • Raising the gambling age limit from 16 to 18
  • Raising the gambling age limit from 16 to 18
    • The Conservatives are expected to adopt some of the ideas outlined by the policy group, described as the "biggest shape-up of the welfare system since the Beveridge report" of 1942.The Conservatives are expected to adopt some of the ideas outlined by the policy group, described as the "biggest shape-up of the welfare system since the Beveridge report" of 1942.
    Asked about the tax-break plan, Mr Duncan Smith told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's not going to be a golden bullet that says somehow this will persuade everybody to come together and stay together.Asked about the tax-break plan, Mr Duncan Smith told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's not going to be a golden bullet that says somehow this will persuade everybody to come together and stay together.
    "It's part of a balanced package of benefit changes and taxes that will actually say to people: look, it's not to penalise you any more.""It's part of a balanced package of benefit changes and taxes that will actually say to people: look, it's not to penalise you any more."
    Mr Duncan Smith said the current system "penalised people who are wanting to stay together" and that he was "trying to re-set the balance".Mr Duncan Smith said the current system "penalised people who are wanting to stay together" and that he was "trying to re-set the balance".
    'Wrong to preach''Wrong to preach'
    But Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband said the government would not "discriminate against some children" in its tax policy.But Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband said the government would not "discriminate against some children" in its tax policy.
    He also said: "I don't think it's right for politicians to come on and preach."He also said: "I don't think it's right for politicians to come on and preach."
    If people want to get married and/or have kids they should do it for love, not for a cheap bribe G Smith, Scotland Send us your commentsIf people want to get married and/or have kids they should do it for love, not for a cheap bribe G Smith, Scotland Send us your comments
    Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman David Laws said: "A lot of the [Conservative] solutions are a bit naive - to think that we can simply tweak the taxation system and bring about a big change in people's behaviour."Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman David Laws said: "A lot of the [Conservative] solutions are a bit naive - to think that we can simply tweak the taxation system and bring about a big change in people's behaviour."
    Mr Duncan Smith's policy group warned last year that an underclass was being "left behind".Mr Duncan Smith's policy group warned last year that an underclass was being "left behind".
    The Conservatives have said mending Britain's "broken society" should be a top priority - rather than the traditional emphasis on tax and crime.The Conservatives have said mending Britain's "broken society" should be a top priority - rather than the traditional emphasis on tax and crime.
    Party leader David Cameron has called for more voluntary and community action to deal with social breakdown.Party leader David Cameron has called for more voluntary and community action to deal with social breakdown.