The government has unveiled the new ‘family test’ for policies promised by Prime Minister David Cameron in August.
Government activities can have both a direct and indirect affect on family life, the guidance states. It sets out a number of specific questions which must be considered by policymakers regarding the potential impact of planned legislation on family life.
Both married and cohabiting couples are included, as well as extended family relationships, such as foster children, adopted children, grandparent-grandchild relationships and ‘kinship care. The latter term refers to arrangements in which family members look after children unable to remain with their parents.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith said:
“Families are the foundations of society – and we know that strong and stable families can have a huge impact on improving the life chances of our children.”
Iain Duncan Smith is known for his outspoken views on family life and co-founded right-wing social policy think tank the Centre for Social Justice in 2004.
Read the full guidance for government departments here.
