§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents who are in receipt of state benefits live in the West Chelmsford parliamentary constituency; how many are receiving help under the New Deal for Lone Parents; and how many have gone into employment since receiving that help. [56406]
§ Angela EagleThe information requested is not held by parliamentary constituency.
Income Support statistics can be broken down by local authority district. These show that, as at February 1998, there were 1,000 lone parents receiving Income Support in the district covered by Chelmsford Borough Council.
Lone parents are free to visit whichever Jobcentre they find most convenient; it is likely that those living in the West Chelmsford constituency will use the Chelmsford Jobcentre. Between 6 April and 23 October 1998, when the New Deal for Lone Parents was available for those making a new or repeat claim for Income Support, 64 lone parents attended an initial interview at the Chelmsford Jobcentre. Of these, 54 decided to take advantage of the service offered under the New Deal for Lone Parents. 19 have since taken up employment.
176WFrom 26 October 1998, the New Deal for Lone Parents has been extended to all lone parents on Income Support, including those whose claim was established before April 1998.
Note:
Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry; sample size 5 per cent.; figures rounded to the nearest 1,000.