§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent measures have been introduced to help lone parents achieve a better balance between work and family life. [127244]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 29 June 2000]: The Government's work-life balance campaign was launched by the Prime Minister on 9 March. Work-life balance describes any set of policies and practices that both help people to achieve better balance between work and their lives outside work and benefit the business.
The campaign aims to increase the number of employers who adopt work-life policies and practices. By introducing flexible working policies employers can increase job opportunities and recruit from a wider pool, especially from those with caring responsibilities, such as lone parents, or those with disabilities.
The discussion document "Changing Patterns in a Changing World" describes how we will take the campaign forward in partnership with an alliance of 22 leading businesses committed to promoting the business benefits of work-life balance. Our campaign builds on and complements the work of the National Work Life Forum.
Last month we invited employers to apply for our new £2.25 million Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund. Successful applicants will receive free consultancy advice about implementing flexible policies which improve both their business and help their employees balance work and the rest of their lives.