HC Deb 06 July 1998 vol 315 cc406-8W
33. Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the number of lone parents finding work under the new deal for lone parents. [47505]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Full independent evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents is being carried out. Interim findings of the research, published on 21 May 1998 show that the programme is having a real and measurable impact on the lives of lone parents and their children, with a marked effect on the rate at which lone parents move off Income Support.

Cumulative results for the period up to and including 29 May 1998 show that: 23,881 initial letters have been issued; 9,932 initial interviews have been arranged; 7,740 lone parents have attended interviews; 6,888 lone parents have agreed to participate in the programme following their initial interviews; and 2,241 lone parents have found jobs following agreement to participate in the programme.

A copy of the interim report is in the Library.

The final evaluation report will be available in Autumn 1999.

Notes:
  1. 1. Since 6 April, when the New Deal for Lone Parents was extended to all lone parents making a new claim to Income Support (phase 2), the monthly results have been collated by the Employment Service. Results for the eight prototypes (phase 1) have been amalgamated with those for phase 2.
  2. 2. The figures are subject to further validation.
35. Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the interim report on the new deal for lone parents. [47507]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The interim findings of research into the initial phase of the New Deal for Lone Parents shows that it is having a modest but marked effect on the lives of lone parents and their children. The research shows that there has been a reduction of 1.9 per cent. on the overall target population in the New Deal areas, as compared to control areas. And, for new claims, the effect is greater by 31 March, the numbers of lone parents who started new or repeat claims for Income Support since July 1997 was 6.6 per cent. lower in New Deal areas than in Control areas.

The findings translate into around 800 lone parents and an estimated 1,600 children who have left Income Support because of the New Deal for Lone Parents in the eight prototypes. Those lone parents who have moved into work are, according to DSS calculations, on average £39 per week better off. Not only are these lone parents in work better off, but they have each reduced their benefit dependency—by approximately £42 per week.

In helping lone parents reduce their benefit dependency we are able to offer lone parents the same opportunity to gain financial independence as everybody else. The key to the success of the New Deal for Lone Parents is the role of the Personal Adviser who gives lone parents help and information on jobsearch, skills training, child care and in-work benefit.

Notes:
  1. 1. Target population refers to those lone parents on Income Support whose youngest child is of school age.
  2. 2. The interim report provides an initial estimate of what the New Deal for Lone Parents has achieved in its first eight months. The final evaluation report will be available in late 1999.
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on Government action to help the poorest lone parent families during the last year. [47489]

Mr. Denham

Our New Deal for Lone Parents has already helped some of the poorest lone parents to improve their living standards by moving off Income Support into work. Lone parents who have been helped into work are better off by, on average, £39 a week.

We have announced a Working Families Tax Credit which will include a child care tax credit. This will provide lone parents with more help with child care costs than ever before.

We are also increasing Child Benefit for the eldest child and the family premium in the income related benefit by £2.50 a week from next April. Earlier help will be directed towards families with young children from this November through a £2.50 increase in the child allowances in the income-related benefits.

These measures will mean that around one and a half million lone parents will be better off overall, after taking account of the measure to align Child Benefit and family premium rates.