Income link to parenting skills

Parents on lower incomes are more likely to struggle with disciplining their children, according to a survey.

A poll of more than 1,000 parents found only 27 per cent of those whose incomes fell into the bottom fifth were consistent at setting and enforcing rules, compared with 41 per cent of parents with incomes in the upper fifth.

Kitty Ussher, director of political think-tank Demos, said those who worked in low-income jobs should get more support.

She said: "Inconsistent parenting … will only be addressed by looking at reducing poverty, improving housing stock and supporting good parenting."