Anger as Lone Parents Face Benefit Cuts

Charities have spoken of their fury over changes to the welfare system which will force unemployed single parents with children about to start school to find a job or risk losing part or all of their benefits.  These 124,000 single parents with children aged five and six were given only eight weeks notice of the fact that they would have to move from income support to jobseeker's allowance (JSA). Previously, lone parents of older children have been given up to 12 months notice, giving them a greater chance of planning ahead and improving their skills and qualifications.  According to research published by the charity Gingerbread, single parents moving to JSA now also face a much harsher time finding "a family-friendly job in a hostile labour market characterised by low economic growth and high unemployment".  While the definition of their availability for work must take their childcare responsibilities into account, a lone parent could risk losing part of his or her benefits for up to three years if they are judged to be seeking work with insufficient vigour. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that only 20% of the 124,000 are expected to find employment.  Read more on the Observer website.