UK Government plans for lone parents to be forced into work with them losing up to 40% of their adult benefit have been condemned by Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd.

Under the plans from 24th November 2008 lone parents of a child aged 12, or over, making a new claim will be required to claim Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) rather than Income Support, as a part of a plan to move most Lone Parents onto JSA; and over the next two years this will be reduced to children over 7 years old.

Commenting Mr Kidd said: "I believe this scheme will force many parents into low paid, poorly paid work. It would appear the UK Government undervalues the unpaid work of raising children. Raising children is an investment in the future, not only of the children but of everyone.

"I am all for supporting lone parents who wish to work; but this should be done with positive, choice based measures, not by a sanctions regime which will hit both women and children.

"I am appalled that this process will lead to lone parents of children as young as 7 being pushed onto a treadmill of enforced job seeking, low pay, and benefit sanctions.

"With figures released today showing an unfortunate increase in unemployment we must ask if this is the right time to be making these changes to lone parent's support.

"This represents a momentous change for those caring for their children. Effectively, people who care for their children are treated as unemployed and their work as a full time parent is being totally undervalued."

Notes:

1. The motion is as follows:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=15082

S3M-02849 Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Treating Lone Parents as Unemployed - Planned Changes to Benefits
That the Parliament expresses concern at the UK Government's plans to require lone parents, from 24 November 2008 for those with a youngest child of 12 years old, from 26 October 2009 for those with a youngest child of 10 years old and from 25 October 2010 for those with a youngest child of seven years old, to be available for work, claim jobseekers allowance and be subject to consequential benefit sanctions and considers that these measures seriously undervalue the unpaid work of raising children, treating the raising of children as the equivalent of being unemployed.

2. UK Government plans that from 24th Nov. 2008 lone parents of a child aged 12, or over, making a new claim will be required to claim Jobseekers Allowance rather than Income Support, as a part of a plan to move most Lone Parents onto JSA.

From 26th October 2009 lone parents with a youngest child of 10 will be required to claim Jobseekers Allowance.

From 25th October 2010 lone parents with a youngest child of 7 will be required to claim Jobseekers Allowance.

This will require Lone Parents to actively look for work; and they will be expected to sign on fortnightly and have an Action Plan for seeking employment of at least 16 hours. The longer they are on JSA the more will be required of them to seek paid work.

They will be subject to sanctions; including losing up to 40% of their adult benefit.

DWP source

Jobcentreplus source