§ 30. Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new deal for lone parents. [115894]
§ Angela EagleIndependent evaluation has shown that the New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) is helping lone parents move into work. Since the launch of the national programme, over 103,000 lone parents have volunteered to participate in the programme and over one in three of these have obtained jobs.
As announced in the budget, from April 2001 we will be asking lone parents with a youngest child of five or over to come forward for a work-focused interview with a personal adviser. We want to ensure that all lone parents have the opportunity to find out about the choices, and the support, available to help them move into work.
§ Mr. HealeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress with the new deal for lone parents(a) in the UK and (b) in Yorkshire. [115882]
§ Angela EagleIndependent evaluation shows that the New Deal for Lone Parents is working. Since the launch of the national programme, in October 1998, over 116,000 lone parents have attended an interview with 89 per cent. agreeing to participate and over one in three of these obtaining jobs. In Yorkshire and Humberside 9,137 have agreed to participate and 3,440 have obtained jobs.