Grants For Marriage Guidance

EDM number 1264 in 1992-93, proposed by Gerry Steinberg on 27/01/1993.

That this House recognises the valuable support of RELATE, the marriage guidance charity, in providing counselling, consolidation and mediation services in matrimonial disputes, especially in the light of increased unemployment, home repossession and debt, which puts many families under greater pressure than ever; is concerned that proposals to cut RELATE's grant in 1993, by over ú25,000 in real cash terms, despite assurance by Ministers in November 1991 that the grant would be increased by over 10 per cent. per annum over the next two years as part of a three year package, will greatly reduce the quality of service provided by RELATE to families in need and will mean many families will have a vital source of help removed; believes the cut in the grant is a clear example of the lack of co-ordination across the six or more Government departments who deal with family policy and the absence of an overall strategy for promoting and sustaining support for families; and calls on the Government to reverse its decision and reinstate the 10 per cent. increased for 1993-94 and 1994-95 as orginally announced in 1991.

This motion has been signed by a total of 96 MPs.