§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have had income support reduced as a sanction for failure to attend a compulsory personal adviser meeting; and if he will make a statement. [124548]
§ Mr. BrowneWe have introduced compulsory Work Focused Interviews for lone parents claiming income support to ensure that they are aware of the wide range of help they can access to move into work. We are giving lone parents more choices and more help than ever before to move off welfare and into work, in return for greater responsibility to consider the help that is on offer.
Between May 2001 and April 2003 4,352 lone parents had their income support reduced as a sanction for failure to participate in a compulsory personal adviser meeting.
In addition 1,800 lone parents making new or repeat claims have had their claim disallowed because good cause was not shown for non-participation in a compulsory personal adviser meeting.