Lone parent obligations: a review of recent evidence on the work-related requirements within the benefit systems of different countries

The Government is committed to eradicating child poverty by 2020 and to increasing the employment rate of lone parents. Government support has involved a range of measures, including increased cash benefits for children, more proactive employment assistance, and tax credits. Paid work is seen by the Government as the main route out of poverty for families with children, particularly lone parents. Over half (56 per cent) of children in nonworking lone parent families live in poverty, compared with 17 per cent of children of lone parents who work part-time and seven per cent of those working full-time. The work-related requirements within the benefit system for lone parents in Great Britain (GB) have increased gradually since the introduction of Work Focused Interviews in 2001. Since November 2008, the Government has introduced Lone Parent Obligations (LPO), which changed the Income Support (IS) entitlement conditions for lone parents so by October 2010 those lone parents who claim IS solely on the grounds of being a lone parent with a youngest child aged seven or over would have to claim a more appropriate benefit when their IS ceased. For example, if they are capable of work they would claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or if they have a health problem or disability they would claim Employment and Support Allowance. Some lone parents may be exempt from LPO, and continue to be eligible to claim IS, such as those who have a disabled child and receive middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance.