'Failing parents' children at risk'

However, a survey found public support for such penalties, with almost half of Britons (49%), including a 54% majority of parents, telling Ipsos MORI they backed harsh sanctions in a poll carried out for a new report by the Policy Exchange think tank.

They were among the 84% who said youngsters had too much freedom and too little discipline and 64% who strongly backed the suggestion that parents should take more responsibility for their offspring's behaviour.

But a follow up focus group found support for financial penalties dropped when concerns they would impact badly on the youngsters themselves were considered.

That softening will please Kathy Evans, policy director at The Children's Society, who said cutting financial support could never be acceptable.

"Such a policy would have disastrous effects for the most disadvantaged children, making them vulnerable to severe poverty. We do not believe that it is ever acceptable to undercut the most basic level of financial support to any child, even where there may be concerns about their parents," she said.

The research found 48% thought people who chose to have children should not expect other taxpayers to help them with the costs of raising them but 50% backed state help.

A significant minority (40%) said public money should only be available to the less well off.

Natalie Evans, deputy director of Policy Exchange who co-wrote the Families in Britain report, said she hoped it would spark a national debate about family policy, especially on marriage.

"Research suggests that ... those who grow up with different parents, stepfamilies or with one parent figure missing are more likely to experience poverty, poor health and more likely to be involved in antisocial behaviour," she said. This report highlights many of the challenges the Government faces if we are to address this."