Rt Hon Frank Field MP DL, United Kingdom Government adviser on family poverty, has received the 2012 Family Values Award from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) at a celebratory event held at the British Houses of Parliament (May 22).
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The Church makes the award annually to individuals in the public eye whose work and influence have a significant impact on family life within UK society.
Frank Field was given this year’s honour “in recognition of his substantial contribution to the study of family life issues and practical application within the home”, according to Elder Clifford T Herbertson, Area Seventy for the Church.
Elder Herbertson added: “As a highly-respected Parliamentarian, Frank has wisely observed that good parenting provides an essential foundation for a socially and spiritually strong nation. We acknowledge his significant influence as Member of Parliament for Birkenhead over 33 years, touching the lives of countless families and community groups.”
On receiving the award, Frank Field observed: “We live in a country where we’re falling out of love with being really good parents – few children have the experience of the role model of what a good parent is.” But he said that he wanted to see a society “where every child’s full capabilities are met.”
“The bedrock, the stability, the future of our society depends on family values. They need not to be defended, they need to be restored”, according to Elder Stephen C Kerr, Area Seventy. “The family is intended by God to be at the centre of a civil and good society.”
Between 1990 and 1997 Frank Field served as Chairman of the UK Parliament’s Social Security Select Committee, then as the Minister of State at the Department of Social Security. He completed a Review on poverty for the British Government, which focussed predominantly on the issue of parenting. The report – The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults – was published in 2010.
Frank Field is a practising member of the Church of England, is Chairman of the King James Bible Trust, and serves as a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside, North West England.
The 2012 Family Values Award luncheon is the eighth such event held in the UK capital and was attended by five UK Parliamentarians. Previous award recipients include UK cabinet ministers, people of influence in the third sector and senior faith leaders.