§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents in Stoke-on-Trent North have gained work through the New Deal programmes; and if he will make a statement. [177622]
§ Jane KennedyThrough the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help lone parents improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. The New Deal runs alongside other measures which are helping lone parents into work and making work pay for them. These include our National Childcare Strategy; the Lone Parent's Benefit Run-On; the child tax credit and the working tax credit (including the childcare tax credit).
380 lone parents in Stoke-on-Trent North have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998 Figures for lone parents who have gained work through other New Deal programmes are not available.