§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made on the New Deal for Lone Parents; and if he will make a statement. [60545]
§ Mr. HainThe New Deal for Lone Parents helps lone parents who are currently claiming income support and have children of school age, into sustainable employment. A Personal Adviser Service is available to give individual advice on jobsearch, in work benefits, and child care. Lone parents participate on a voluntary basis and receive support to help them overcome their particular barriers to employment. From 26 October 1998 the programme was extended across Wales to all lone parents on Income Support.
In Wales, results up to 25 September show that 9 out of 10 lone parents who attended an interview with an adviser agreed to participate in the New Deal. Of those who sought the help of the Personal Adviser Service more than a third moved into work.
696WEarly research, commissioned by the Department of Social Security, was carried out across the UK, on lone parents who had moved into work (and claimed Family Credit). It showed that participants in the New Deal for Lone Parents are, on average, £39 per week better off and have reduced their dependency on benefit by £42 per week.