13 Jan 2000
Scottish Secretary John Reid today announced that the UK Government’s New Deal for Lone Parents has found jobs for over 3000 people across Scotland.
Speaking at a special reception in London for lone parents who have successfully started new careers through the initiative John Reid said:
"In its first year the New Deal for Lone Parents has helped over 3000 Scottish parents to kick-start their careers by finding new jobs. Lone parents across Scotland are coming forward to join this initiative for a range of reasons – to get advice on training and childcare, to pick up their career or start a new one, but above all because they realise they are better off working.
"The UK Government is committed to supporting working families. That is why we introduced the Working Families Tax Credit last year, which could benefit up to 140,000 families in Scotland, while the new Lone Parent’s Benefit Run-on gives those on income support or income-based Jobseekers Allowance an extra two weeks of benefit when they start a new job, making them more secure before they receive their first pay cheque.
"I am delighted that so many Scottish lone parents and their families are benefiting from the New Deal and recognising that the UK Government’s initiatives really do make work pay."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. John Reid met two Scottish mothers from Glasgow and Perth who found new jobs through New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP):
Julia Akli, aged 32, comes from Perthand has a seven year old child. Julia joined NDLP in January 1999, initially wanting information on how it could help her to get back into Community Education work. An ‘in work benefit calculation’ showed she would be £40 a week better off as a supply teacher. Julia successfully gained a job with Perth and Kinross Council as a Community Education Worker. She received Family Credit, extended Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Julia says: "Support from my personal adviser helped me return to work and deal with my entitlement to benefit to ensure I was not financially penalised by returning to work. I’ve now been back at work for a year and it has made a huge difference to me."
Jacqueline McCardle from Glasgowis 35 and has two children aged 13 and 16. She joined NDLP in February 1999. Jacqueline wanted to be an embalmer, and after her Personal Adviser had done an ‘in work benefit calculation’ showing she would be better off in work, she was put forward for an interview with the Co-op Funeral Service as a Trainee Funeral Director. She was successful and started work in April. She has since finished her training and is now a qualified funeral director in Glasgow. She has recently signed up for a two year course to learn the skills needed to be an embalmer.
Jacqueline says "I just wish I’d known sooner how much help the advisers and service could offer. This might not be everyone’s idea of a fun job but it suits me."
2. New Deal for Lone Parents is a voluntary programme primarily aimed at helping lone parents on Income Support whose youngest child is over five years and three months old, although it is also available to those with children under five. Personal Advisers within Jobcentres offer full advice on jobsearch, training, childcare, benefits and financial support. It was launched nationally in October 1998 and is a joint DSS/DfEE policy, carried out by the Employment Service with the support of the Benefits Agency.
3. In the first full year (October 1998-October 1999), a total of 28,170 lone parents have found jobs through NDLP, including 3,029 in Scotland.
4. Lone parents can join NDLP by telephoning an adviser at a Jobcentre or by contacting the helpline on 0800 868 868.
5. The Lone Parent’s Benefit Run-on, introduced in October 1999, means lone parents claiming Income Support of income-based Jobseekers Allowance for at least six months can still receive benefit for the first fortnight in work, provided the work is expected to last at least five weeks. They also keep maximum Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for the first four weeks in work.
6. The Working Families Tax Credit, introduced in October 1999, is a new tax credit payable to working families depending on their circumstances. It is available to families, either couples or lone parents, who have one or more children, work at least 16 hours a week, are resident in the UK and entitled to work here, and have savings of £8,000 or less. The Tax Credits Helpline is 0845 6095000.