Problem families costing over £50m

NEARLY 700 troubled families across Oldham who cost the taxpayer over £50 million a year are to be targeted to help them “turn their lives around”.

The Government will spend £450 million on 120,000 problem families in England, including an estimated 680 in Oldham.

Worklessness, mental health problems and anti-social behaviour are among the factors identified in the troubled families. Councils will have to put up 60 per cent of the money needed to help them and the Government will stump up the remaining 40 per cent — on a payments by results basis.

It is estimated chaotic families cost the tax payer £9 billion a year, the equivalent to £75,000 per family — meaning Oldham’s problem families cost more than £51 million alone.

Money is spent on protecting children and responding to crimes and anti-social behaviour the families cause.

In addition, ministers say children living in these families are 36 times more likely to be expelled and six times more likely to end up in care or have contact with police.

A national network of “trouble-shooters” will oversee the work in each area and be appointed by the council. The payments by results scheme will be judged on getting children back into school, reducing criminal and anti-social behaviour, getting parents back into work or looking for work, and reducing the cost to the taxpayer.

Local authorities have until February to identify the troubled families in their area and what services they use.