HC Deb 15 June 1998 vol 314 c116W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 224, concerning the New Deal for Lone Parents, if she will update her answer to cover the periods (a) 1 March to 31 March and (b) 1 April to 30 April. [45192]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Information on the operation of the New Deal for Lone Parents is available up to and including 24 April 1998:

As at 31 March: 21,334 initial letters have been issued (in addition to this 3,461 lone parents have initiated contact with the personal adviser). 6,085 initial interviews have been arranged, and 5,178 lone parents have attended interviews. 4,637 lone parents have agreed to participate in the programme following mutual interviews. 1,530 lone parents have found jobs following agreement to participate in the programme.

As at 24 April: 22,402 initial letters have been issued (this does not include those who have initiated contact with the personal adviser). 7,102 initial interviews have been arranged, and 5,832 lone parents have attended interviews. 5,235 lone parents have agreed to participate in the programme following initial interviews. 1,678 lone parents have found jobs following agreement to participate in the programme.