Merton’s single parents will be among the first in Britain to receive help getting work and training as part of a new Government initiative designed to combat child poverty.
The programme, being launched in south London and Nottinghamshire, will provide parents with careers advice and help getting work experience and training - while subsidising any loss in earnings as they prepare to start a new career.
The scheme is designed so any work or courses take place while children are at school or nursery with an aim of ensuring parents with young children remain close to the labour market when they are ready to start work again.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, said: “Helping parents into jobs so they can support their families is the best way to lift children out of poverty.
“We know that around 80 per cent of lone parents are already working or would like to work. We want to help them do that in a way that also supports their family life.”
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