Lone parents need right to employment support, not more hardship

Commenting on today’s Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“With ten people chasing every jobcentre vacancy, this is a terrible time to be introducing a more punitive regime for families without work.

“Lone parents generally say they want to work when their children are old enough. They don’t want or need compulsion and sanctions, but they do want support in areas like childcare, challenging employer discrimination and access to training. The Government’s bill fails to give them any entitlement to the support that will help them find decent and sustainable jobs.

“The whole welfare reform project is in a precarious situation. Private companies no longer see it as profitable and Jobcentre plus is struggling to cope with the growing unemployment count and shrinking number of vacancies. It is time the Government admitted a rethink is needed.”

Notes for editors

• For up-to-date background facts and stats on UK child poverty and the Government’s targets, visit: http://www.cpag.org.uk/povertyfacts/
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 150 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk