Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the announcement by David Cameron on parenting classes, said:

“David Cameron is fond of making speeches about families but absolutely woeful in following through. In opposition he claimed he wanted to deliver ‘the most family friendly government ever’ but the actions of his government - the closure of hundreds of Sure Start children’s centres, huge cuts to family support services, tax credit and welfare changes for example - have left many, many more families in crisis.

“Good parenting programmes alongside meaningful early intervention are not only critical but also benefit society and create investment for the economy. However, what we’ve seen from five years of the Tories is a far cry from good family policy.”