HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 c245W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase the take-up of family credit; and how much she estimates this will cost. [7557]

Mr. Keith Bradley

We are committed to streamlining and modernising the tax and benefit systems to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community and family life.

We launched the first phase of the new deal for lone parents on 21 July in eight areas across England, Scotland and Wales.

This will offer lone parents whose youngest child is at school an interview with a personal adviser which will include personalised advice on in-work benefits and in particular family credit.

We also recently announced that Martin Taylor, chief executive of Barclays plc, will lead a Whitehall task force to review this area.