To what extent should the government try to help single parents with younger children find good paid work opportunities while the child is young or starting education?
In this Study I will discuss the issues relating to single parents trying to find work and what the government can do to help single parents find work during or before their child/ren start education. I will be investigating theses issues as they relate to the UK in the last 10 years.
Week
W/ending
Work Completed
Nature of Work/preparation
3-12-02
Choosing topic and relate to specific themes
Discussed themes on class, listed possible topics starting index and choosing more focused topics.
2
20-12-02
Confirmation of topic of study formulation of title question.
Discussion drafting of title
3
0-1-03
Some general research for topic
Research
4
7-1-03
Found an article and some statistics which may help with study
Research
5
24-1-03
Found two articles finished sub-questions, work programmes
Research
6
31-1-03
Found two more articles, concentrate on one sub question.
Research
7
7-2-03
Finish 1st sub-question
Drafts
8
4-2-03
Finish 2nd sub-question and find more info
Drafts
9
9-2-03
Finish 3rd and 4th sub-question
Draft
0
28-2-03
Finish 5th sub-question and add graphs and stats
Draft
1
7-3-03
Prepare interview and add stats
Interview
2
4-3-03
Update bibliography and definitions
Extra work
3
28:4-4-03
Finish off summary and type up coursework.
Extra work
In the year 2000, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, launched a partnership between Whitehall and business to provide jobs for lone parents as the government intended to help families in the budget the following year. The conservatives had planned to scrap Labour's tax breaks for the working poor in favour of a married couple's allowance. Gordan Brown had intended to make enormous plans for extra money, additional childcare places and more flexible jobs to raise the proportion of lone parents to work. Gordon brown said 'We want to see a sae change in the opportunities available to lone parents,' He intended to say this in Bristol at the launch of the treasury's pre-budget report consultation period, which will lead to extra assistance for poorer families in next Springs's budget.
He also wanted to give lone parents real choices enabling them to move from welfare to work and out of poverty. Five of Britain's leading firms Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Schroder Salomen Smith barney, sainsbury, Direct line and Granada- had agreed to be the trailblazers for the scheme designed to tempt lone parents back into the labour market with family-friendly working practises. Government figures
Show that the number of lone parents on benefit fell from 1,015,000 to 910,000 in the three years from May 1997 to May 2000,raising the proportion in work from 43% to 50%. However, Mr brown was concerned that this was still a much lower figure than in the US, where it's heading for 70% and, and France, where it is 82%. The chancellor believes that getting lone parents back to work is the best way of tackling child poverty, where Britain's record is still one of the worst in the developed world it's measured by Gross national product.
Gordon brown also announced that he will provide details of pilot schemes which will allow lone parents to choose between education or training, working for less than 16 hours a week without losing all their benefits, or working longer hours and taking advantages of the working families' tax credit, the earning top-up for low- income households. Gordon Brown also confirmed that the working families' tax credit is to be made more generous and announced an advertising drive to encourage low-income workers to apply for it. The government's Labour market policies for the working poor will be praised by the organisation for economic co-operation and development. The OECD said the working families' tax credit and New Deal, programmes that the Conservatives have pledged to scrap, have been instrumental in attracting lone parents back into the market.
'Tens of thousands of lone parents in Britain find work worth for the credit', the OECD's director for employment, John martin, will tell a conference in London on exclusion. The conservative party's pledged to replace the Tax credit with the old family credit benefit had cost one million families nearly £25 a week, according to the chancellor 'scraping the New deal for lone parents the choice of going out to work and would deny lone parents the choice of going out to work and would deny lone parents the choice of going out to work and would have left thousands of children and their parents in poverty' .Mr Brown made it clear that new measures for lone parents were high on the agenda for their next month's pre-budget statement. With the oppositions making the traditional two-parent family the centrepiece of its welfare reforms have delivered benefits to both one-parent and two parent families.
As part of the government's campaign, the employment minister Margaret Hodge announced that one million extra childcare places will be available by 2004 as a result of three fold increase in funds to over 200 million.
Every time a lone parent thinks about returning to work, they has to consider for the whether the job will earn enough to compensate for the costs of childcare and whether it will still enable they spend quality time with her children to compensate for the hours they will have to spend away from home.
This project was funded by ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
As part of the government's campaign, the employment minister Margaret Hodge announced that one million extra childcare places will be available by 2004 as a result of three fold increase in funds to over 200 million.
Every time a lone parent thinks about returning to work, they has to consider for the whether the job will earn enough to compensate for the costs of childcare and whether it will still enable they spend quality time with her children to compensate for the hours they will have to spend away from home.
This project was funded by the department of social security. Other key findings that were found are:
*2/3 of working lone parents use childcare of those who use childcare. Of those who use childcare, 42% pay for it, on average 1/5 of their after-tax earnings. But this is only in well-paid jobs.
*People out-of-work lone parents who say they need childcare if they were to enter work, 2/3 expect to pay for it.
*Most lone parents had heard of family credit, but fewer (55%) had heard of the childcare allowance. Those who did know about it found it difficult to understand.
However, a new childcare scheme, included a million extra nursery places was announced in the year 2000 by ministers in the biggest investment in helping single parents to return to work. More than 900 new nurseries are to be set up in deprived areas in England in a 155 million injection of funds into childcare over the next four years. Annual investment in childminding and after-school clubs had also risen, from 66 million in 2000 to more than 200 million by 2003-4.The rise in funds for childcare comes on top of a financial package revealed by Gordon Brown to hep single parents to get to work. The chancellor announced a £4.35 a week rise in working family tax credit for parents with two children and a new child tax credit worth £1.5 billion for five million qualifying households. Another programme, called choices, will offer £15 a week on top of benefits for people going into education or training. The government believes that giving access to childcare is the solution to helping parents to return to work, and that tripling the budget for nursery care will address the nationwide shortage in qualified childminders.
Ms Hodge said 'we are witnessing a revolution in childcare for families up and down the country'. She also said 'for decades mothers have been telling governments of all colours that what they want is good quality childcare. This is not about forcing anybody into work. It's about giving mothers who want to work real choices.
Labour has also created 300,000 childcare places since coming to power in places since coming to power in 1997.the extra money will provide places for 1.6 million children.
Most out of work lone parents say they are not able to take paid jobs even if they could find affordable childcare. Other pressures keep them at home, according to new research from the independent policy studies institute. Reuben Ford who had written the report 'childcare in the balance', examined whether lone parents really are locked out of the out-of-work lone parents said that the cost or lack of childcare was stopping them from going back to work, there were other important things such as:
Only 5% said the cost of childcare was the only serious barrier they faced and just 2% said the availability of childcare was the sole obstacle to employment.
6/7 out of work lone parents who cited problems with childcare reported another problem that needed to be solved first, before it would be possible for them to work.
The biggest reason given for not seeking working work was because their children were too young and needed their mother at home (42%). Nearly 1 in % (18%) said this was their only reason for not working.
Many recently separated lone mothers were still adjusting to their new situation and felt that going to work could be more of a threat than an advantage.
Out of work lone parents had a lack of confidence in their own skills and in their own skills and in their ability to compete in the labour market. This problem increased the longer they had been out of work.
Lone parents felt that few suitable jobs were available to them because they thought people wouldn't treat them equally as others. Some reported that employers discriminating against them. For instance not being able to do things like other employers at work because they felt that the single parent had been out of work and inexperienced.
The study was based on a national survey of 850 lone parents and in -depth follow-up interviews with 57 lone mothers. It compared the relative importance of the many barriers to work facing lone parents. Among the third of lone parents who become so recently, several needed time to get used to their new circumstances. Marie, a divorced mother of 3, said 'I think that's the worst of it. It does take a long time to get used to being on your own and being able to cope with children on your own'.
Lone parents were also deterred from work by their own lack of confidence, and what they saw as discrimination against them by employers. For example a parent called sally, a separated mother of two said;
"I hadn't got the confidence. I hadn't worked for 7 years and these were all new skills. I was going into a totally new environment. I'd never been in a office before, I didn't know what they were like".
Others said that they were turned down by employers wary of taking on staff without partners to share caring responsibilities.
A typical full-time nursery place for a two year old now costs over £110 a week- more than £5,700 a year. When the last survey was carried out in 1997, a typical nursery place cost £80 per week. The increase means that childcare accounts for a bigger share of the family income than housing or food. In London and the southeast the situation is worse, with the cost of a typical nursery place now £135 a week (over £7000 a year). In some areas, it's much worse. Findings made by the Day care trust out those parents on lower incomes can't afford the cost of typical nursery place, which now exceeds the childcare tax credit ceiling of £70.00 per week. Costs for a childminder, for many parents the more flexible and affordable option, are also out of range. To look after a two year old, childminders charge, on average, almost £90 a week-still over £4,500 a year.
Regional cost for childcare in England, 2001:
Typical weekly costs for a two year old in full-time childcare places:
"New deal" for lone parents can help you find a job or suitable training to bring your skills up to date. It's now available to all lone parents who are not working at the moment, or who are working, or who are working less than 16 hours per week. If anyone wanted to be part of the 'New deal' scheme a personal adviser will:
Help you through the first steps of applying for a suitable job for you.
Calculate how much better off you could be in a job.
Explain the effect that starting work may have on your benefits
Explain which benefits you may be entitled to when you move into work.
Access specialist employment advice if you have a disability
Help you identify registered childcare
The aim of 'new deal' for lone parents scheme is because it's all about taking that important step towards a more secure future for you and your and children. NC* also believe, getting a job will help in many ways financially better off, learning new skills, building up your confidence, being able to meet new people and sharing experiences with each other. Lone parents who always have a job are nearly always financially better off. At NC, your personal Advisor can work and can give other advice on other benefits parent may be entitled to also. New Deal, has many advantages such as:
Build a more secure future-paid work can increase family income.
Meet new people getting a job can be bringing good opportunities to meet great new people.
Build your confidence.
Another organisation is Gingerbread. Gingerbread aim to do 2 things such as, giving lone parents and, their children practical and emotional support. They also speak out for them in the media and politics.
A person who has had helped from Gingerbread said
"It has offered a different kind of support than that offered by friends and family as most people in gingerbread have been through the same or similar situation and overcome the same problems. It is one of the most positive things a lone parent can do".
Gingerbread has always been a self-help organisation. So they know exactly what lone parents are going through. Their staffs talk to lone parents everywhere, everyday.
Gingerbread can help you and your children by:
Advice line-which offers expect advice on things from financial situations.
Virtual Gingerbread-You can email them with news, views and experiences.
Gingerbread support groups-is a great place to go with your children and meet other people in the sane situation, as you. There are activities like pub quiz nights and group holidays and drop-in sessions for parents and toddlers.
Other organisations for lone parents are:
National council for parent families
One-parent families Scotland.
NC*-New Deal
In the 7th February 2001,the UK had the 3rd highest rate of female employment in Europe, with a staggering 70% of women at work. There were 12.5% million. That meant it had increased by 843,000 over the last 10 years. In that government study (1)*(2001), trends in female employment had shown that 65% of women with dependent children are working. This ranged from 54.4% of women with children under 5,to 75% with children between 11and 15, and 78.2% for those with children aged 16-18.the employment rates for lone mothers in work are considerably lower averaging just 48.6%. Whereas 60.5% of married women with pre-school children under 5 are in employment. But growth in employment was higher among lone mothers (5.2%)than married mothers (2.4%) over 3 years.
Employment and women's minister Tessa Jowell thought that the government study above showed that women were making tremendous progress now and this has improved throughout the last 10 years.
Ms jowell said that
"This is good news for women. The report shows that women continue to be an integral part the work-place. It's vital that we recognise this achievement and continue building on this success-making sure there is support for women returning to work after having a family and helping people balance their work and family life. That is why are encouraging employers to introduce flexible working hours policies such as job sharing and term time working as well as traditional part-time working hours in a way that has not always happened in the past". "I am especially pleased to see that lone mothers are taking advantage of employment opportunities that exist. In just 2 years over 72,000 single mothers have got jobs through "new deal" for lone parents". And the introductions of the minimum wage, working families tax credit and national childcare strategy are all supporting lone mothers who want to work. Looking at statistical data of employment rates; in spring 1997 married/cohabiting mothers with children the employment rate was 67.7% and in spring 2000, this increased to 70%. While single parents with children in spring 1997 employment rates was 43.4% while in spring 2000, increased to 48.6%. This statistical data shows that married parents found it easier to get paid work, while single parents with children found it much more difficult to get paid work.
(1)*-recent employment rate study, 2001-2002
For the purpose of this study I have put some definitions:
Lone parent family-Lone parent family, or one parent family, conventionally refers to a mother or father, conventionally refers to a mother or father living with dependant children/and without a partner of the opposite sex. The family may live as a household on their own or as part of a larger household.
Paid Work-A type of work or job where you get money for doing something; as opposed to unpaid domestic or voluntary work.
Government-An executive policy-making body in the UK; the UK and its admistraction; system by which a country-the UK is ruled.
Education-This is where children from a young age get taught at a school.
Education and training
Half the lone parents in a large scale DSS survey had no educational qualifications, compared with 38% of all women aged 25-49.Of all the unemployed lone parents in the same survey, 76% had no vocational training.
In Scotland 5% of female parents were in further or higher education in 1999, compared to 3% women in two parent families.
Employment
38% of lone mothers in Scotland worked in 1999 (15% FULL-TIME) compared to 82% in France and 70% in Sweden
Lack of affordable, high quality childcare is one of the key reasons for relatively low employment rates. Under working families Tax credit, lone parents working at least 16 hours and using registered childcare may be able to get help 70% of their childcare costs up to maximum of £100 weekly for 1 child and £150 for 2 or more children.
Lone parents' chances of finding and keeping jobs are much greater if they have children above five, have one or two children, are over 35 years, are owner occupiers are divorced, have educational qualifications and receive maintenance.
As part of the coursework about single parents accessing paid work along with childcare I thought I would do some research investigating what single parents actually think about the issues raised.
I had asked a neighbour of mine Catherine, who was a single parent, how the government and society around us are helping single parents access work and she said,
" Years ago, if you were a single parent you wouldn't have really got much help with childcare or money to have people to look after children. There were no organisations trying to get single parents back to work. It was yourself who you could have helped. But now with 3 children, it's much easier with organisations like Gingerbread to get single parents back to work".
Another single parent, Sandra finds it difficult to look after her child and place her young child in day care while she's at work.
"Although organisations like "New Deal" help single parents access work, things like not affording childcare are a problem because mainly most of my wage is spent on childcare, rent and bills. Sometimes I feel that there's no point of working because most of my wage goes on childcare. Getting benefits might as well be another alternative".
Louise has older children now from 8-12 but when they were younger, she found it difficult to look after her children alone without accessing paid work.
"I didn't want to be on benefits for the rest of my life and I didn't feel that benefits gave me enough money to support my family while my children were young. I didn't want to depend on benefits. I wanted to make my family and I future financially better off by bring my own income. After the kids had all started in full- time education, I was able to get training to work at a bank because I have always wanted to and now I work at a bank I'm financially better off bring in my own salary and I am much happier and the children are also happy!"
From theses findings from interviews, I have concluded that, 3 of the 3 parents I interviewed finds work a better solution than benefits because they want to be financially better off.
2 out of the 3 parents of the single parents found that the organisations do their best already to help parents access paid work and childcare but still think that the organisations can do more things.
out of the 3 parents found that training helped them get on track back to work, which was funded by the government. All parents found that the cost of childcare was a big problem to them while working or thinking about working.
. Abstract
2. Definitions
3-4. What is the government doing to help single parents access paid work already?
5. How easy is it for single parents to get adequate childcare? And what are the financial implications?
6. What organisations are helping lone parents?
7-8. Do a majority of parents or should a majority of parents immediately find work after their child starts school at the age of 5 or between 0-5?
9. How have the numbers of single parents changed in the last 10 years? And the number of working parents changed?
10-11. Graphs and charts for statistics
2. Summary
3. Appendix-informal interview
4. Bibliography
5. Log sheet
. Abstract
2. Definitions
3-4. What is the government doing to help single parents access paid work already?
5. How easy is it for single parents to get adequate childcare? And what are the financial implications?
6. What organisations are helping lone parents?
7-8. Do a majority of parents or should a majority of parents immediately find work after their child starts school at the age of 5 or between 0-5?
9. How have the numbers of single parents changed in the last 10 years? And the number of working parents changed?
10-11. Graphs and charts for statistics
3. Summary
4. Appendix-informal interview
It has shown clearly from all my chapters that the government has done things to try and help single parents get on track with accessing paid work. We have discussed how Gordon Brown in 2000 had been very concerned with providing jobs for lone parents and intended to help families in the budget the following year. Leading films such as Sainsbury's and Direct line wanted to design a scheme to tempt lone parents back into the labour market with family-friendly working practices. Lone parent had found childcare not affordable to themselves and one reason why they could get back to work was because of the financial implications of this. Since the beginning of the year 2000,there have been various organisations trying to help lone parents and their work opportunities such as "New Deal" and "Gingerbread". They trained workers who know what single parents are going through in everyday life.
Some single parents had found it easier to not return to work because they had found it that people would discriminate towards them because of the care of their child/ren and bring their confidence levels down.
In the interviews I did, I found that having help from the government and organisations was a big issue to them because the organisations and government can give support and help at times lone parents need it. Three out of the three I interviewed also preferred earning their own wage than depending on benefits for the time being.
Even today in April 2003, the government is helping the lone parents with childcare and work opportunities by providing organisations and support from job centres. The government have used their budget money, to try and boost the chances of lone parents and making better lives for them. The number of lone parents in work has increased throughout 10 years, which shows that organisations and the government are doing a good job, because their has been a huge increase of lone parents getting back to work and sorting out childcare issues which was one problem that lone parents couldn't work in the first place.
