Message for Parents’ Week 2012
The Deputy Prime Minister has recorded a video message for Parents' Week.
The full video transcript is below.
Parents’ Week is a great chance to celebrate the love and commitment of parents across the country. I have three sons and being a good dad is the most important thing to me in the world: it’s the biggest duty, the biggest responsibility, and the biggest joy.
And, like all parents, I worry about getting the balance right, about juggling work and home. That’s the dilemma most parents face.
Of course it’s not up to politicians and governments to tell you how to live your life, but what we should do is try and make your choices as parents easier and simpler.
For example, increasing flexible working for employers and employees so that work and domestic needs for parents can be better balanced. And when parents can’t be with their children, we want to help them make sure their sons and daughters are in good hands so we are providing 15 hours of free early years education a week for three and four year olds, and as of next year we’re extending this to around 260,000 of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds. Helping to support them in getting a good start in their life through quality early education.
And our £2.5bn Pupil Premium - extra money for schools - is there to help struggling pupils so the whole class can move ahead.
Helping our children fulfill their potential is all of our responsibility, and this week is a chance to thank parents for everything you do.