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Single-Parent Families — [Ian Paisley in the Chair]
14 March 2023
Lead MP
Amy Callaghan
Responding Minister
Guy Opperman
Tags
Social CareBenefits & WelfareChildren & Families
Word Count: 10852
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Amy Callaghan raised concerns about single-parent families — [ian paisley in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap, review and improve the CMS, consider introducing a similar policy to the Scottish child payment, and take bolder action on energy bills support. Additionally, there is a call for urgent implementation of inflationary increases to benefits rather than delaying them until April.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
In 2021, there were 3 million single-parent families in the UK, with 40% of children in lone-parent families living in poverty. The two-child policy disproportionately affects women, as they are more likely to be single parents than men, and it is estimated that removing this limit and the benefit cap would lift 300,000 children out of poverty. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is described as a deeply flawed service that lets down single-parent families, putting them at risk of further manipulation from an abusive ex-partner.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
McGovern highlighted the hard work of single parents in caring for their children and committing to employment. She raised concerns about poverty levels among working single-parent families, with 41% of children in such families living below the poverty line despite their parent's employment status. McGovern also discussed the need for better childcare systems, more inclusive workplace policies, and improvements in Jobcentre Plus services tailored specifically for single parents.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
The SNP MP highlighted the disproportionate impact of inflation on single-parent families and called for a root-and-branch review of the Child Maintenance Service. He also emphasised the need to reverse damaging long-term policies such as the benefit cap and two-child limit, and stressed the importance of addressing barriers to work like childcare costs. Politicians twist statistics, but if we compare social security spending as a proportion of average earnings, it is back to the days of Lloyd George.
Hannah Bardell
SNP
Livingston
Celebrates single parents as heroes who should be supported through difficult times. Advocates for acknowledging and supporting diverse family structures including two mothers or fathers, a mum and dad, just a mum or dad, or those in care. The hon. Member highlighted the impact of the Scottish child payment, noting that it is having a profound effect on families in Scotland compared to the situation in other parts of the UK where double taxation still occurs. Agrees with Jim Shannon, stating that many single parents do not earn enough to make working worthwhile due to high childcare costs, which prevents them from thriving and merely allows survival. There are many billions of pounds of unclaimed benefits every year, perhaps because the system is too complex for single parents under pressure.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon discussed the challenges faced by single-parent families in his constituency, highlighting financial difficulties, mental health issues, and the need for child maintenance payments. He cited statistics from the Office for National Statistics that 3 million households are led by single parents, representing 15% of all UK households. Shannon expressed concern about the 40% of separated families without a child maintenance arrangement and called on the Government to provide more support. Commends the hon. Lady's contribution and hopes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might announce extra help for childcare in the Budget, as single parents face severe financial pressure.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
In 2019-20, 34% of children in single-parent households were in relative poverty compared to 20% in a household with a couple. Margaret Ferrier argues that scrapping the two-child limit on benefits at a cost of £1.3 billion could lift 250,000 children out of poverty and reduce the number in deep poverty by 850,000. The hon. Member agrees that the Government should scrap the benefit cap, which would lift 300,000 children out of poverty across the UK. Single parents often experience long periods of unemployment, are unable to work desired hours, accept lower-paid jobs, and put their career aspirations on hold. This impacts mental wellbeing, affecting the relationship with children.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
The MP briefly mentioned his participation in a local event where financial inclusion issues were discussed, highlighting the need for better social security policies to support single parents.
Government Response
Guy Opperman
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the debate secured by the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire and highlighted the Government's support measures, including £37 billion announced in May 2022 and an increase of up to £900 for households on means-tested benefits. He also addressed childcare issues, noting that since 2010 there has been a substantial increase from non-existent to universal credit childcare, with parents eligible to claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month through Universal Credit. The Minister further discussed the 30 hours free childcare for working parents and the 15-hour entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds. He also mentioned child maintenance issues, emphasizing ongoing improvements in the Child Maintenance Service's online offerings and efforts to support family-based arrangements.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.