The bishop said children who grow up in families where one parent stays at home can often have better chances in life. “Where one parent makes a conscious decision to stay at home for the children … they shouldn’t be penalised. The evidence is that what the parent is doing is investing in a child’s development which can save the state significant amounts of money at a later stage. It helps children to develop into adults who are more likely to fulfil their potential and make a net contribution to society.”