§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what form, and when, the ministerial review of policy on one-parent families will be available; and what relation this review bears to the research carried out by his Department.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe number of lone-parent families has increased from 840,000 in 1979 to just over 1 million in 1986, but their dependence on benefit has increased at an even faster rate. In 1979, 40 per cent. of lone-parent families were dependent on supplementary benefit, but by 1986 the proportion had increased to 60 per cent. No maintenance at all is paid for 77 per cent. of lone parents on income support. In these circumstances the Government must be concerned and examine their own arrangements to see what further can be done to ensure that these fathers meet their responsibilities and to help those lone parents who wish to work to do so.
We have commissioned an independent study of the motivations and perceptions of lone parents on benefit and the results will he fully and carefully considered.