David Willetts said the informal connections between adults and children are eroding because of patterns of economic and social change.
"There is a crisis in the relationship between generations," he told delegates at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
Speaking at a fringe meeting Willetts said more could be done to support the role of grandparents following family breakdowns and said the lack of trust between generations needs to be addressed.
He said: "We can improve the legal rights of grandparents especially when the relationship between parents ends. Sadly after family breakdowns the paternal grandparents are likely to completely lose contact with their grandchildren."
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