Harman aims to get single parents off benefit and into work

Social Security Secretary sets out the advantages of the programme

Harman Unveils Package for Lone Parents

The New Deal for Lone Parents will give single parents with school-age children advice on jobs, training and childcare.

Ms Harman was visiting Cambridgeshire, one of eight areas where the programme was launched.

"Today we are writing a new page in the history of social security, a new page in the modernisation of the welfare state." she said.

She said there were more than one million lone parents bringing up nearly two million children on income support. "Two million children being brought up on the breadline is simply not acceptable." she said.

She said all employers should consider the value of single parents: "Many are beginning to understand that lone parents are dependable employees because they have children that rely on them. They take their work intensely seriously because they are the provider for their children. I hope we will develop that."

The Secretary of State examined an on-line computer service at the social security offices in Cambridge which gives lone parents access to a whole range of information and services in the same place. It is the sort of project the Government believes could help get lone parents off benefit and into work all over the country.

Ms Harman spoke to lone parents in Cambridge to find out what they thought of the service.

The scheme has been welcomed by organisation representing lone parents. The Chief Executive of Gingerbread, Liz Sewell, said: "Employers must now recognise the potential of lone parents as employees. People who can manage families and budgets on their own will be an asset to any company."

The New Deal for Lone Parents is launched in Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Cardiff, Sheffield East, North Worcestershire and Cheshire today (Monday), followed by Clyde Valley tomorrow and North Surrey on August 4.

The full national programme will follow from October next year.