Lone Parents Urged to make their Voices Heard

Date published: 04/04/2006

Lone parents in Rochdale are being urged to stand up and make their voices heard. The Government wants to help single mums and dads back into work, and it wants to know what you think about it.

It's all part of their Welfare Reform consultation paper, a range of proposals aimed at modernising the welfare state and getting people out of poverty.

There are many things you could find yourself doing as a lone parent if the proposals go through, including taking part in "work taster" programmes with local employers.

You could also get more intensive help and support during your first year on benefit, and have more frequent interviews with your personal adviser at the Jobcentre to talk through your problems and to see if we can help you achieve your ambitions. And if you have older children and are out there looking for work, you could even get extra cash on top of your benefit to help you along.

After the publication of the proposals, Employment Minister Margaret Hodge called on lone parents to have their say and help the Government get things right. She said, "Most lone parents do want to get back to work. They want to support their families; they want to meet new people and form new friendships; they want to feel they have a valued place in their local community. Single mums and dads have rights. We want to give them back the opportunity to work, but it is vital that they let us know what they think."

Nationally just over half of all single parents are already in full or part-time employment. Ministers hope to see this reach the 70 percent mark in the future.

Mrs Hodge said, "All kinds of help is on offer. For example, I have just visited a great scheme run by Marks and Spencer. It offers flexible work experience for lone parents, along with travel expenses and the chance of a job, so lone parents try out work and see if it's good for them. If you're a single mum or dad, contact your employment adviser and find out more - you will be amazed at what is possible."

To obtain a copy of the welfare reform proposals call 020 7712 2521 or visit:

www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform/