§ 21. Barbara FollettTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to ease the transition from welfare to work for mothers with young children. [3596]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownWe have introduced a wide range of help for mothers with young children making the move from welfare to work.
Over 90 per cent. of the participants in the new deals for partners and lone parents are women, benefiting from advice and support in looking for work, training and 825W childcare. We have improved the extended payments of housing and council tax benefit scheme, and introduced extended mortgage payments and the lone parents benefit run-on. These measures are supported by the National Childcare Strategy and the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit and the Children's Tax Credit.
The introduction of Jobcentre Plus will provide those mothers claiming benefits with young children with the opportunity to find out about the support available to help them make the move into work.