The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) saidthat establishing the right work/life balance policies will reduce childpoverty, promote child development and stem the fall in birth rates.
The OECD has published a comparison of the 30 OECD countries' policieson balancing work and family life. In many countries, female employmentis seen as key to maintaining economic growth. In the UK the aim is toreach a female employment rate of 60 per cent by 2010.
In the UK, while Government spending on families had increased by almosta third since 1997, some outcomes still remained poor.
Mark Pearson, head of social policy division at the OECD, said, 'First,it might be too early to say - we shouldn't expect instant results insuch a complex area. Second, they have done very well in reducing childpoverty. This is admirable, and the Government probably doesn't get thecredit it deserves in this area. Other countries do look enviously atthe recent UK record in reducing child poverty.'
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