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A British government-backed study calculates that every British Pound spent on marriage preparation courses could save the taxpayer up to £11.50.
The report follows on estimates that broken relationships cost Britain between £20 – £44 billion annually and emphasises that when the social cost of separation is taken into account successful relationship initiatives could pay for themselves 11 times over.
Conducting the report, a team of experts from the Tavistock Institute said most statistically significant effects could be found among those who attend marriage preparation courses run by the Catholic Church and other in-depth counselling sessions.
The Tavistock group analysied the success rates of three types of marriage and relationship education courses. They included a traditional marriage preparation, a shorter ‘relationship education’ sessions for established couples and counselling for those facing difficulties.
Hundreds took part in the exercise which included surveys and in-depth interviews.
Participants frequently mentioned the importance of behavioural change, dealing with conflict or better communication as key to relationship success.
The report, funded by the Department for Education, recommends a national drive to encourage couples to get help before problems occur.
Other recommendations include ‘blitzing’ registry offices with publicity promoting the courses, and a quality mark similar to those used by trade-groups, to identify higher quality courses.
The group also recommended offering discounts on wedding fees for couples to attend a pre-marriage course.
Andrew Selous, Conservative MP and Chair of the all-party group specialising in relationships, said that relationships often fall down the priority list when economic issues emerge, but that good relationships are an important part of restoring the public finances.
“I think we need to change attitudes in this country, we need to think of this as like going to the gym rather than going for surgery,” he said.
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