§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the 433 lone parents who she announced in October had gained employment through the New Deal for Lone Parents are(a) in the same employment as they were then, (b) have changed to other employment or (c) are no longer in employment. [24591]
§ Mr. Keith Bradley[holding answer 22 January 1998]: Information is not available in the form requested.
Of the first 433 lone parents who gained employment through the New Deal for Lone Parents 49 are now in receipt of Income Support and have no earnings.
The evaluation report on the New Deal for Lone Parents, which will published in 1999, will contain information on these three issues.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers she has after April 1998 to make supplementary payments of premiums to lone parents presently with maintenance from absent parents where variations or cessations of such maintenance cause the income of the lone parent with care to fall below income support entitlement levels. [22982]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyAll lone parents making a new claim for Income Support on or after 6 April 1998 will receive the same level of family premium as couples with children. Existing recipients will continue to receive the higher rate. There will be no cash losers.
We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support Agency to ensure that it provides a modern, efficient and effective service. The receipt of regular maintenance is a key part of the Government's strategy for helping lone mothers into work and one of our key objectives for the Child Support Agency in the coming year is that it chases up fathers who avoid paying maintenance.