Lone parents to seek work earlier

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Peter Hain has confirmed plans that would require all lone parents on benefit to look for a job once their children reach age seven, from 2010.

In a written statement the work and pensions secretary outlined changes which he says will reform benefits and bring the UK closer to full employment.

Currently single parents do not have to seek work to get benefits until their youngest child is 16.

A charity criticised what it called the government's "strong arm tactics".

BBC social affairs correspondent Sue Littlemore said it was among the more controversial changes in a raft of measures outlined by Mr Hain.

'New vision'

Currently lone parents can remain on income support, under little pressure to find work until their youngest child is 16, she said.

But under the new measures they will go on to Job Seekers' Allowance and be expected to look for employment once their youngest is 12 from next October, 10 from 2009 and seven from 2010.

Most lone parents want to work, and most do Chris PondOne Parent Families

In his statement to MPs Mr Hain said: "A new vision is needed to achieve our goal of full employment in our generation.

"Today I am setting out how we will make this vision a reality by putting in place a radical shift, treating benefit claimants as active job seekers rather than passive dependents.

"These plans will see an increase in the number of lone parents in work of up to 100,000 - and will lift around 70,000 children out of poverty."

Child care

He also promised to make it easier for single parents to ease the shift from welfare to work, by aiming to ensure they are better off in employment than on benefit.

He confirmed changes to relax rules allowing people to claim Job Seekers' Allowance while training and studying.

And he said the government would increase support for those who face "multiple challenges" in finding a job.

Other measures include the national roll-out from April 2008 of the 'In Work Credit', which offers £40-a-week extra support for lone parents, £60-a-week for those living in London, for a year.

And by 2010 ministers have said every school should be offering child care from 8am to 6pm.

But charities representing one parent families accused the government of "strong arm tactics" and said it would make life harder for lone parents by assuming that "government always knows best".

Chris Pond, chief executive of One Parent Families/Gingerbread, said "Most lone parents want to work, and most do.

"But there are times in their lives when any parent must be allowed to make a judgment as to what is best for their children. That judgment should not be handed over to overworked Jobcentre advisers."