WORCESTER'S MP has urged the Government to tackle family breakdown - calling it "a great problem" for men as well as women.

Robin Walker is calling on ministers to tackle the root causes of societal breakdown, saying issues like equal parenting leave are vital in keeping parents together.

The Conservative also says it is vital the so-called 'family test', a measure introduced by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith to help stop families splitting up, must remain top of the agenda.

The UK has one of the highest rates of family breakdown in the world, with just two thirds of children living with both parents.

Only Belgium, Latvia and Estonia have worse records among Western nations, with Britain's rate just 68 per cent.

In October last year Mr Smith revealed his 'family test' initiative, meaning all new proposed Government laws must include a theme of supporting strong families when they come before the House of Commons.

Mr Walker, speaking in parliament, said it was "vital" the Government keeps it up during a debate with Shipley MP Philip Davies.

He said: "Does he agree that reforms to create equal parental leave are important in fostering men’s role in the family?

"It is vital the Government continue to pursue such initiatives as the 'family test' to ensure that we take every opportunity to avoid the causes of family breakdown, which is a great problem for men as well as women."

He told MPs "family breakdown and suicide" are very important matters ministers need to keep on top of.

Mr Davies said: "I agree that we need to do more to make sure that we have genuine equality, and not the 'equality when it suits' agenda.

"We need to do as much as we can to help families stay together, wherever possible."

Parental break-up is also believed to be a key driver for many children going into care, of which there are currently around 716 in Worcestershire.

That figure is a record high and stood at 531 back in 2009.

In Germany 82 per cent of children grow up with both parents, while in Italy it is 92 per cent, Spain 91 per cent and France 79 per cent.

The US also fares better than the UK, at 71 per cent.