The study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the UK government spent on average £138,000 in family support on each child from birth to the age of 18. This is more than most OECD countries, which have an average spend of £95,000.
But in terms of gender pay equality, child poverty and employment opportunities for parents Britain falls behind other countries, particularly in Scandinavia, that have a similarly high investment in family support.
One factor is that countries such as Sweden focus funding on universal support services such as affordable childcare, whereas the UK’s focus is on cash benefits direct to families.
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