August 26 9:42 AM
AUTHOR:
Prime Minister David Cameron wants to make Britain the most family friendly country in Europe. It is a laudable goal – which is not too far distant from UnitedFuture’s ambition to make New Zealand the best country in the world to live and raise a family.
In both cases, the challenge is how to achieve these noble sentiments. One approach which caught my eye recently, and which could be applied in New Zealand, is the production of an annual report card to show how we measure up in this regard. Britain’s Family and Parenting Institute, a non-government agency, produces the annual score card, rating the government A to D on ten key indicators, and then producing an over all Family Friendly rating. For 2010, the ratings ranged B and D, with an overall Family Friendly rating of C-.
The ten key indicators the Institute adopts are:
• Cost of raising a child
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Elderly care
• Work/life balance
• Affordable transport
• Affordable housing
• Commercialisation of childhood
• Neighbourhoods and green spaces
• Child and pensioner poverty
• Our most vulnerable children
I understand there is some consideration being to developing such a register for New Zealand, although it may take a little while. In the meantime, I would be interested in feedback on an A to D basis of how we currently rate, in your perception, on each of these items.
Of course, measuring performance is only one aspect. The bigger challenge is taking the steps needed to correct performance in areas where it is currently lacking. Again, there are some things we learn from Britain under its new coalition government. Its new Department for Children, Schools and Families has taken on the role on establishing a fresh partnership between the government and families to reduce families’ pressures and enhance their capabilities. It is based on four key principles to empower families to achieve their potential; be proportionate; support families regardless of form or structure; and, be socially equitable.
There is much UnitedFuture can draw on here, to achieve our objective to make New Zealand the best country in the world to live and raise a family.