The government is being urged to do more to support breaks for hardworking struggling families.
The call came today at World Travel Market from Tui Travel chief executive in his role as president of the Family Holiday Association.
He spoke of the millions of children and parents who could not afford a break each year and called for the government to assess public spending to help those people.
In a speech given to the Holidays Matter conference at WTM, Long said: “As the prime minister rightly said recently, the government should do everything possible to support and strengthen family life in Britain today.
“Therefore every government department will be held to account for the impact their policies have on families.
“Whoever assumes power after the forthcoming election, I urge the following to happen: all the £500 million currently allocated by central government for family breaks must be ring-fenced and not diverted by local authorities, and the government must have a greater understanding and appreciation of the positive impact a simple break can have on family life.”
Long said that more than two million families in Britain, equating to seven million people, do not have enough money for a holiday.
“Equally sobering is the reality that of those seven million, five million can’t even afford a single day out,” he added. “My personal aim is to make these appalling statistics clear to the people who run this country so something can be done.
“We want to raise awareness of the positive impact that holidays can have on people’s lives. Holidays help to make stronger, healthier, happier families and perhaps most crucial of all, they contribute to a healthier, happier society which benefits everyone.”
The Family Holiday Association has seen a 21% increase in fundraising income in the past 12 months and strengthened links with corporate supporters ranging from First Great Western and Bourne Leisure to Canvas Holidays and the staff and customers of Tui Travel.
Long called on people people to join the Holidays Matter network.
“Holidays Matter is an initiative that drives right to the heart of what we’re all trying to achieve,” he said.
“It’s a commitment to the fundamental principle that every single person in this country, adult and child, should have the opportunity for a break away from home.
“We simply can no longer stand for 30% of families with dependent children to be excluded from the many benefits a simple family break, or day out, can provide. Ladies and gentlemen, a holiday is more than a political issue. A holiday is a moral issue.”