A new report published today by CARE analyses the tax burden placed on families across the OECD and concludes that the British tax system punishes one-earner families.

The 2010 Conservative manifesto committed to making Britain the most family friendly country in Europe and yet the Taxation of Families – International Comparisons 2012 (the latest year for which comparative data is available) shows that in 2012 the UK income tax system failed to show regard for family responsibility.

The report shows that the tax burden on one-earner married families is still significantly above the OECD average and rising. Between last year’s report – which looked at 2011 – and this year’s – which looks at 2012 – the burden rose from being 42% greater than the OECD average to being 45% greater.

The Bishop of Chester, Dr Peter Forster says in his foreword to the report:

“As someone who believes in both the importance of supporting the family and in the intrinsic God given value of work (whether it be paid or unpaid), I find it deeply troubling that families where one spouse is in full time paid employment and the other is undertaking unpaid care can be treated in such a manner.”

CARE is hosting a debate in Parliament on the findings of the report on 11 March. Dr Dan Boucher, Director of Parliamentary Affairs will be joined by the Bishop of Chester and co-author of the report Alistair Pearson at the event in the Palace of Westminster.

CARE’s press statement released earlier today can be found here.

The Taxation of Families – International Comparisons 2012 report can be found here.

And reported in The Sunday Telegraph here.