UK isn't family friendly says report

A new report says that Britain is one of the least family-friendly countries in Europe.

A new report says that Britain is one of the least family-friendly countries in Europe.

The report, published by the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) said that parents believe the country is intolerant of children, with many places unwelcoming and the costs of travel and leisure activities too high.

More than 200 parents were questioned for the report, titled "Is Britain Family-Friendly?", which is published before the launch of National Parents' Week on Monday.

The report found that Fathers in Britain work the longest hours in Europe, while maternity pay is among the lowest on the continent.

Just 2% of children under three years old in the UK have access to publicly funded childcare, compared to 23% in France.

Chief Executive Mary MacLeod said: "Despite some good new Government policies designed to support families, parents in Britain still feel left to go it alone, expected to manage raising children and working, with little allowance made for their vital family responsibilities.

"This report shows that we still have a long way to go to improve things for families and parents."