So the new commission that has been set up to examine the relationship between the state and the family in bringing up children will have a tough job on its hands (see News, page 9). Even suggestions for universal state-funded children's centres tend to elicit accusations of unwarranted interference and restricting freedom of choice in family life.
Surely the provision of high-quality services for all children should be seen as a right and as a matter of equality of opportunity, not a sinister attempt to usurp parents' roles. Proposals to extend paid maternity leave to a year should also give more choice and support to new parents. And the Government has finally accepted that taking at least some action to regulate nannies and bring them into the tax credit system does not equate to annexing people's homes.
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