POVERTY, PARENTING STRESS, SEPARATION AND MULTIPLE BIRTH FAMILIES

That this House notes the findings in the Twins and Multiple Birth Association's report on the effects of multiple births on their families and their living standards undertaken by Professor Stephen McKay; is concerned that this review of Government datasets shows that multiple birth families are poorer than other families, face barriers accessing appropriate childcare, find it more difficult raising their children and that a higher proportion of relationships end in separation; and calls on the Government to consider increasing the amount of support these families receive during pregnancy, birth and in the early years as a matter of urgency.