Reply from my MP

Received this morning. Dated 9th June 2008. Franked 11th June and postmarked the 16th.

Dear Mrs Kilner,

Further to our previous correspondence, I have now received a response from the Department of Work and Pensions.

I enclose a copy of the reply I have received from the Minister, in answer to my representations on your behalf.

Yours sincerely,

PP Christine McCafferty MP

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your further letter of 22 May on behalf of Mrs G Kilner about the proposals that will affect lone parents from the end of this year. More specifically, as a lone parent who chooses to educate her children at home Mrs Kilner is concerned about flexibility issues in fitting paid work around her children's education.

Details of the proposed changes to benefit conditionality, together with a set of draft regulations, were presented to the Social Security Advisory Committee on 7 May. As Mrs Kilner mentions in her letter, the committee has undertaken a public consultation exercise which commenced on 15 May (and runs to 13 June). After the consultation period the committee will produce a report to the Secretary of State for his consideration. The Secretary of State will then respond, by setting out what will be required of lone parents including those who home educate their children. Meantime, it bears repeating that the Jobseeker's Allowance conditions contain the flexibility to allow lone parents to tailor their availability for work according to their circumstances.

If Mrs Kilner wishes to participate in the consultation, she can do so by writing to the Secretary, Social Security Advisory Committee, New Court, 48 Carey Street, London WC2A or via email at ssac@dwp.gov.uk by 13 June.

Please pass my thanks to Mrs Kilner for taking the trouble to raise her further concerns about this with us.

Stephen Timms

Judging by his use of the phrase "the proposals that will affect lone parents from the end of this year", I think it's clear that decision to make all lone parents on Income Support 'available for work' has already been made and this consultation is only about the details, if that.

I'll look forward to finding out "what will be required of lone parents including those who home educate their children."

Requirements are optional, right?