Minister for Work Jane Kennedy visited West Bromwich yesterday to launch a pilot initiative to help lone parents in Dudley and Sandwell gain financial independence through work.

Arriving at a specialist Jobsearch Centre for lone parents, Jane Kennedy said:

“I am thrilled to be in West Bromwich to launch the Dudley and Sandwell pilot, which is part of a £100 million package pledged by the Government to show our commitment to helping lone parents into work. It gives them choice and opens up opportunities for a better future. This is real help where it is needed most – in people’s pockets.”

Two new payments, the Work Search Premium and In-Work Credit, announced by the Government in the 2003 budget, provide financial support for unemployed lone parents while they are looking for work of over 16 hours per week.

Dudley and Sandwell were chosen as one of eight areas in the country to pilot Work Search Premium and In Work Credit. Over 4300 lone parents in Dudley and Sandwell have been helped back to work since the introduction of New Deal for Lone Parents in 1998, contributing towards a total of over 276,000 nationally.

Ms Kennedy continued:

“Fewer lone parents are claiming benefits and more are working, showing the real difference our policies for lone parents are making to people’s lives, lifting families with children out of poverty. The combination of Sure Start, more nursery places, financial support for lone parents and the New Deal for Lone Parents is clearly effective.”

Lone parents wishing to find out further information about Work Search Premium and In-Work Credit should contact their local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office.