HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc115-6W
22. Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what age group of lone parents the new deal for lone parents is targeted at. [29097]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The New Deal for Lone Parents is available to all lone parents of working age, irrespective of age.

Lone parents are one of the key groups the Government aim to help with the welfare to work programme, because they have previously been excluded from the opportunity to work. The New Deal for Lone Parents is designed specifically for lone parents' needs: to tackle the barriers that prevent them from working.

The Government seek to ensure that all people of working age, including lone parents, are not excluded from society as a result of poverty or lack of opportunity for employment. The New Deal for Lone Parents aims to tackle social exclusion by providing lone parents with the same opportunities as everyone else.

26. Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents had obtained employment through the new deal for lone parents by 31 January. [29101]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The New Deal for Lone Parents service has been available in eight lead areas around the country since July last year and, up to 31 January, has already helped 1,113 lone parents obtain employment. From April, the service will be available nationwide to all lone parents making a new or repeat claim for Income Support, and it will be extended to all lone parents on Income Support from October.

These early results are very encouraging. There will be independent evaluation of the service, comparing the outcomes for lone parents in the New Deal for Lone Parents areas with those in control areas, which will be available in 1999.