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24/11/2008
More Choice To Help Lone Parents Find The Right Job
Thousands of lone parents will be given extra support to help them prepare for work under new benefit rules, which come into force today.
Lone parents of children aged 12 plus will no longer be able to make a new or repeat claim for Income Support solely on the basis of being a lone parent. Instead these lone parents will be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance or, if they are not well enough to work, Employment and Support Allowance.
Work and Pensions Minister Kitty Ussher said: "These changes will help lone parents, who can work, get closer to the labour market, opening up a range of opportunities to get training and skills.
"Specialist lone parent employment advisers will help lone parents prepare for work by building their skills and confidence, as well as offering practical help with CV training and finding appropriate childcare.
"This will give lone parents real choice about their future. At a time when we face global economic challenges, it's essential that we give people more not less opportunity to find work and support themselves and their families."
The changes will help the Government reach its target to eradicate child poverty by 2020. A child of a lone parent is three times less likely to be in poverty if they work part-time. This increases to five times less likely if the lone parent works full time.
The Government expects around 750 lone parents a month to make a new or repeat claim for benefit between now and March 2009.
From March 2009 most lone parents of older children, who claim Income Support solely on the basis of being a lone parent, will stop being entitled to this benefit. Instead they will be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance or, if they are not well enough to work, Employment and Support Allowance.
The Government plans to further extend this support to lone parents whose youngest child is 10 from 2009 and whose youngest child is seven from 2010.
(JM)
Lone parents of children aged 12 plus will no longer be able to make a new or repeat claim for Income Support solely on the basis of being a lone parent. Instead these lone parents will be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance or, if they are not well enough to work, Employment and Support Allowance.
Work and Pensions Minister Kitty Ussher said: "These changes will help lone parents, who can work, get closer to the labour market, opening up a range of opportunities to get training and skills.
"Specialist lone parent employment advisers will help lone parents prepare for work by building their skills and confidence, as well as offering practical help with CV training and finding appropriate childcare.
"This will give lone parents real choice about their future. At a time when we face global economic challenges, it's essential that we give people more not less opportunity to find work and support themselves and their families."
The changes will help the Government reach its target to eradicate child poverty by 2020. A child of a lone parent is three times less likely to be in poverty if they work part-time. This increases to five times less likely if the lone parent works full time.
The Government expects around 750 lone parents a month to make a new or repeat claim for benefit between now and March 2009.
From March 2009 most lone parents of older children, who claim Income Support solely on the basis of being a lone parent, will stop being entitled to this benefit. Instead they will be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance or, if they are not well enough to work, Employment and Support Allowance.
The Government plans to further extend this support to lone parents whose youngest child is 10 from 2009 and whose youngest child is seven from 2010.
(JM)
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11 February 2010
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
02 August 2004
Minister welcomes rise in lone parent employment
There are more lone parents in work than ever before, according to new figures out today. There were 971,000 thousand lone parents in work in Spring 2004, up 276,000 in the last seven years, the figures from the Office of National Statistics found. At the same time the number of lone parents claiming benefits has fallen by a fifth.
Minister welcomes rise in lone parent employment
There are more lone parents in work than ever before, according to new figures out today. There were 971,000 thousand lone parents in work in Spring 2004, up 276,000 in the last seven years, the figures from the Office of National Statistics found. At the same time the number of lone parents claiming benefits has fallen by a fifth.
12 October 2006
Government announces help for lone parents
Lone parents are to receive an extra £20 on top of their benefits if they take active steps towards work, under a pilot scheme being rolled out next year.
Government announces help for lone parents
Lone parents are to receive an extra £20 on top of their benefits if they take active steps towards work, under a pilot scheme being rolled out next year.
17 August 2005
Unemployment rises but Government upbeat
The latest Labour Force Survey, which covers April to June 2005, has shown an increase in unemployment over the last quarter. Over the last year as a whole, however, the number of people in work has risen, unemployment is close to flat, economic inactivity has improved and the number of people on out-of-work benefits has fallen.
Unemployment rises but Government upbeat
The latest Labour Force Survey, which covers April to June 2005, has shown an increase in unemployment over the last quarter. Over the last year as a whole, however, the number of people in work has risen, unemployment is close to flat, economic inactivity has improved and the number of people on out-of-work benefits has fallen.
15 September 2004
Official figures show big rise in employment rate
Employment levels are up, and the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits is down, according to official figures out today. The number of people in work in the UK was 28.3 million in the three months to July 2004, up 179,000 in a year. Official unemployment figures show a fall of 87,000 to 1.41 million over the same period.
Official figures show big rise in employment rate
Employment levels are up, and the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits is down, according to official figures out today. The number of people in work in the UK was 28.3 million in the three months to July 2004, up 179,000 in a year. Official unemployment figures show a fall of 87,000 to 1.41 million over the same period.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
