Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support single parents to re-enter the workplace.

The Government is committed to ensuring that Universal Credit helps parents prepare for, move into, stay and progress in work.

Single parents, like all claimants, are set requirements that take into account their circumstances and capability, including caring responsibilities, health conditions and disabilities. These requirements will be tailored by the Work Coach and will be achievable and realistic.

Claimants whose youngest child is aged two to four can have their support adjusted so they can attend training (such as refresher courses) for up to a year, where it will improve their chance of returning to a previous occupation or increasing their earnings. Work coaches can consider adjusting work search and work availability requirements for up to one year, where the work coach believes the course or training will help the parent find work before the youngest child reaches 5.