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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Skills check' for single parents | 'Skills check' for single parents |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Single parents in England could face a compulsory "skills health check" two years before their Income Support runs out, the government says. | |
| Ministers say they want a "seamless journey from benefits to work". | Ministers say they want a "seamless journey from benefits to work". |
| The government will also look at making training mandatory for people who are on Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. | The government will also look at making training mandatory for people who are on Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. |
| Skills Secretary John Denham said in a Commons statement: "The world continues to change and we must change too." | Skills Secretary John Denham said in a Commons statement: "The world continues to change and we must change too." |
| 'Fundamental | 'Fundamental |
| The government says it wants to reduce the number of people not in training or employment, to deal with the economic challenges of globalisation. | The government says it wants to reduce the number of people not in training or employment, to deal with the economic challenges of globalisation. |
| At present, lone parents lose eligibility for Income Support and move on to the job-focused JSA regime when their youngest child turns 16. | At present, lone parents lose eligibility for Income Support and move on to the job-focused JSA regime when their youngest child turns 16. |
| The government has proposed that, subject to consultation, the age should be lowered to 12 next year. | The government has proposed that, subject to consultation, the age should be lowered to 12 next year. |
| Mr Denham told MPs the government would also end the "16-hour rule", so short-term Housing Benefit can still be paid to those training for more than 16 hours a week. | Mr Denham told MPs the government would also end the "16-hour rule", so short-term Housing Benefit can still be paid to those training for more than 16 hours a week. |
| He added: "These reforms are fundamental to creating a stronger, fairer and more prosperous society." | He added: "These reforms are fundamental to creating a stronger, fairer and more prosperous society." |
| Under the government's plans, out-of-work benefits claimants will have their skills "screened" when they make their original claim. | Under the government's plans, out-of-work benefits claimants will have their skills "screened" when they make their original claim. |
| After six months on JSA, claimants who have not engaged with the "adult advancement and careers service" face a mandatory "skills health check". | After six months on JSA, claimants who have not engaged with the "adult advancement and careers service" face a mandatory "skills health check". |
| The government says it will also ensure long-term benefit claimants who move into work see an increase to their income of at least £25 a week. | The government says it will also ensure long-term benefit claimants who move into work see an increase to their income of at least £25 a week. |
| Shadow skills secretary David Willetts said no one would quarrel with the objective of a more skilled workforce but there was "uncomfortable evidence" that many of the government's schemes were not working. | Shadow skills secretary David Willetts said no one would quarrel with the objective of a more skilled workforce but there was "uncomfortable evidence" that many of the government's schemes were not working. |