Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Gingerbread Caring without Sharing, published in May; and what steps they are taking to provide financial support to single parents once the furlough scheme ends.

No assessment has been made by the Department.

Single parents who become unemployed may be eligible for Universal Credit (UC). UC provides help with childcare costs and a dedicated Work Coach. The Government considers that, where possible, it is in the best interests of children to be in working households, and we are committed to helping lone parents into a job which fits in around their caring responsibilities. Jobcentre Plus staff can help parents to find work that fits around childcare responsibilities and provide intensive support to lone parents. Claimants with children will benefit from a work allowance, and Universal Credit pays up to 85 per cent of childcare costs, compared to 70 per cent in legacy benefits, and can be claimed up to a month before starting a job.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government’s priority has been to protect lives and people’s livelihoods, through its economic response.

This Government is wholly committed to supporting those on low incomes, including by increasing the living wage, and by spending an estimated £112 billion on welfare support for people of working age in 2020/21. This included around £7.4 billion of Covid-related welfare policy measures.

We introduced our Covid Winter Grant Scheme providing funding to Local Authorities in England to help the most vulnerable children and families stay warm and well fed during the coldest months, now the Covid Local Support Grant, with a total investment of £269 million.

As the economy recovers, our ambition is to help people move into and progress in work as quickly as possible based on clear evidence around the importance of employment, particularly where it is full-time, in substantially reducing the risks of poverty. We are investing over £30 billion in our ambitious Plan for Jobs which is already delivering for people of all ages right across the country.