§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action his Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to implement the proposed strategy for marriage and relationship support contained in "Moving Forward Together".[138687]
§ Mr. LammyThe "Moving Forward Together" report was developed by the Advisory Group for Marriage and Relationship Support (AGMARS) and was published in March 2002. The Advisory Group consisted of officials from across Government and senior representatives of Marriage and Relationship Support (MARS) organisations. The strategy set out in the report was intended to inform the work of both the Government and organisations delivering marriage and794W relationship support services. The report was welcomed by the Government and in publishing it, my right hon. and learned Friend Lord Irvine the then Lord Chancellor, accepted the Group's recommendations.
Significant progress has been made in taking forward the areas recommended for future development. The aims, objectives, and priorities of the annual Marriage and Relationship Support (MARS) Grant Programme reflect the AGMARS report's recommendations.
As a result of the machinery of government changes in June 2003, responsibility for marriage and relationship support policy has transferred to DfES. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Children and Families intends to continue to take the forward the range of developmental activities as an integral and important element of the wider range of family support services for which she is now responsible.