The family has come back under the political spotlight again after the main parties set out their key family policies yesterday.

The Government’s long-awaited green paper includes proposals to prevent the breakdown of families, like helping fathers become more involved in raising their children. It also wants to give grandparents an automatic right of contact with their grandchildren in the event of divorce.

Launching the green paper, Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said: “Strong, stable families are the bedrock of our society. Families give children the love and security they need to grow up and explore the world, and the moral guidance and aspiration to make the most of their talents and be good citizens.

"It is families, rather than the government, teachers or GPs, that bring up children. Parents have told us that bringing up children is one of the most rewarding things in life but it can also be challenging so we need to offer them the support they need.”

Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, welcomed the measures for fathers and grandparents, saying they were “much-needed”.

“Too often these key figures in children’s lives have not received enough support to help them build positive relationships with their children and grandchildren,” he said.

The Conservative Party said in the family section of their draft manifesto that they would double the number of health visitors to help mothers cope in the early years of a child’s life and offer married couples tax breaks.

Chief Executive of charity Care for the Family, Mark Molden, welcomed the opportunity to debate family and relationships at the highest level.

He said third sector support could help parents provide a stable home for their children, while “building increased social capital and decreasing social isolation”.

Care for the Family wants the Government to form a National Relationship Education Network to provide preventative support to couples and parents. It also recommends teaching relationship skills.