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Tories consider marriage tax plan Tories consider marriage tax plan
(20 minutes later)
All married couples would qualify for a £20-a-week tax break under proposals being considered by the Conservatives.All married couples would qualify for a £20-a-week tax break under proposals being considered by the Conservatives.
It is one of 200 proposals put forward by a Tory policy group headed by former party leader Iain Duncan Smith.It is one of 200 proposals put forward by a Tory policy group headed by former party leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Others include higher benefit payments of £32-a-week for married parents to bring them into line with lone parents.Others include higher benefit payments of £32-a-week for married parents to bring them into line with lone parents.
Labour believes the Tory proposals would be unfair on the children of single parents or those whose parents choose not to marry.Labour believes the Tory proposals would be unfair on the children of single parents or those whose parents choose not to marry.
The Conservatives are expected to adopt some ideas, but reject others. The policy group says the cost, more than £6bn, could be met by tougher welfare rules.The Conservatives are expected to adopt some ideas, but reject others. The policy group says the cost, more than £6bn, could be met by tougher welfare rules.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the most controversial proposals around marriage amounted to "tough love" for lone parents, but greater help for those who are married.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the most controversial proposals around marriage amounted to "tough love" for lone parents, but greater help for those who are married.
'Big risk''Big risk'
He said if David Cameron chose to back the policies, it would be one of the biggest risks he has taken since becoming party leader.He said if David Cameron chose to back the policies, it would be one of the biggest risks he has taken since becoming party leader.
The transferable tax allowance, worth around £20-a-week, would be open to all married couples - aimed at making it easier for one parent to remain at home to look after children or elderly relatives.The transferable tax allowance, worth around £20-a-week, would be open to all married couples - aimed at making it easier for one parent to remain at home to look after children or elderly relatives.
We need a big cultural change in favour of fatherhood, in favour of parenting, in favour of marriage David CameronWe need a big cultural change in favour of fatherhood, in favour of parenting, in favour of marriage David Cameron
If applied to all married couples, it would cost the Exchequer £3.2bn a year.If applied to all married couples, it would cost the Exchequer £3.2bn a year.
Further proposals put forward by the group include:
  • Raising the tax on alcohol to tackle binge drinking;
  • State schools which are judged to be "failing" to be taken over by parents and charities, while pupils in disadvantaged schools should get £500 for extra tuition - academic, musical or sport;
  • Reclassifying cannabis - which was downgraded to a class C drug - back to class B again;
  • A greater role for credit unions offering low-interest loans to low-income families to help protect them from loan sharks.
    • Dr Samantha Callan is chairman of the Family Breakdown Working group at the Centre for Social Justice, and helped put together the Conservative's proposals.Dr Samantha Callan is chairman of the Family Breakdown Working group at the Centre for Social Justice, and helped put together the Conservative's proposals.
    She said: "What we are trying to do is support an institution that does, on average, deliver better outcomes for children and adults.She said: "What we are trying to do is support an institution that does, on average, deliver better outcomes for children and adults.
    "And it's not just about giving people money, it's actually saying... why should you lose your tax allowance because you are not doing something that's outside the home?""And it's not just about giving people money, it's actually saying... why should you lose your tax allowance because you are not doing something that's outside the home?"
    But Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of the Kids Company charity, said she did not approve of the Conservative's proposals.But Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of the Kids Company charity, said she did not approve of the Conservative's proposals.
    She said: "I don't see how it is going to help people or effect in any way people staying married or people getting married.She said: "I don't see how it is going to help people or effect in any way people staying married or people getting married.
    "And I think it is unfair when there are people living happily together to not give them the same tax incentive.""And I think it is unfair when there are people living happily together to not give them the same tax incentive."
    Among other proposals will be a rise in the tax on alcohol to tackle binge drinking and for failing state schools to be run by charities and parents.
    The final findings of Mr Duncan Smith's Breakdown Britain report will be published on Tuesday.The final findings of Mr Duncan Smith's Breakdown Britain report will be published on Tuesday.
    It is also likely to call for cannabis - which was downgraded from a class B to a class C drug - to be made class B again.
    Failing schoolsFailing schools
    It will call for state schools which are judged to be "failing", to be taken over by parents and charities, while pupils in disadvantaged schools should get £500 for extra tuition - academic, musical or sport.
    The policy group published an interim report on poverty in December and warned an underclass was being "left behind" by the rest of society.The policy group published an interim report on poverty in December and warned an underclass was being "left behind" by the rest of society.
    The Conservatives have concluded that mending what they call Britain's "broken society" should be their top priority - rather than their traditional emphasis on tax and crime.The Conservatives have concluded that mending what they call Britain's "broken society" should be their top priority - rather than their traditional emphasis on tax and crime.
    In my view, the debate is not about marriage versus lone parents Tony Blair in FebruaryIn my view, the debate is not about marriage versus lone parents Tony Blair in February
    They say they want to put an end to the economic cost of "social malaise" - debt and addiction, welfare dependency, family breakdown and education failure.They say they want to put an end to the economic cost of "social malaise" - debt and addiction, welfare dependency, family breakdown and education failure.
    Party leader David Cameron has already said he wants to encourage more voluntary and community action to deal with social breakdown.Party leader David Cameron has already said he wants to encourage more voluntary and community action to deal with social breakdown.
    On Sunday he told the BBC there was something "deeply wrong" with society which needed "long-term generational change".On Sunday he told the BBC there was something "deeply wrong" with society which needed "long-term generational change".
    He also wants changes to the tax and benefits system to favour marriage.He also wants changes to the tax and benefits system to favour marriage.
    He is expected to welcome the proposals but stop short of announcing any specific policy.He is expected to welcome the proposals but stop short of announcing any specific policy.
    Former prime minister Tony Blair has said that dealing with problem families was not a question of "marriage versus lone parents".Former prime minister Tony Blair has said that dealing with problem families was not a question of "marriage versus lone parents".