By Xander Stephenson

Seemingly shouting "me me me" in a game of "where the axe should fall", the DCSF today have launched a new report called "support for all". The title can't help but remind me of the Dodo in Alice in Wonderland: 'everybody has won, and all must have prizes.'

This is almost in line with the 'supporting families' ideology that David Cameron has come in for so much stick for lately but it is like adding a grandfather figure - or even a creepy uncle - to the mix in the form of the paternalistic state. Ed Ball's gushing introduction emphasises his belief that it is families and not governments that bring up children. Of course, families "need support" and it is "necessary to develop policies", clear enough?

That's right, the government won't raise your child, it'll just help you raise your child. Think of it like a babysitter - one that hasn't been CRB checked.