02 February 2010 – Lone Parent Obligations: a review of recent evidence on the work-related requirements within the benefit systems of different countries

Findings are published today from a review of recent evidence on the work-related requirements within the benefit systems of different countries. The review is part of the evaluation strategy for Lone Parent Obligations (LPO) to both help inform the evaluation as well as future policy design and implementation.

Findings from the review show that:

• The welfare regimes within other countries have different institutional arrangements, and employment and benefit systems. It is not feasible, therefore, to establish meaningful comparative benchmarks against which to measure the progress and effect of LPO policy.
• There is considerable cross-national variation in the design and implementation of lone parent employment requirements. The evidence illustrates that the ways in which such requirements are structured and implemented may positively and negatively affect the experience of lone parents and their transitions into employment.
• Until recently, claimant counts have fallen in all the countries that have increased lone parent employment requirements, although the effect of welfare reform varies, with the strength of the economy and other factors, such as tax credits accounting for varying proportions of the decrease.
• There is evidence of increased employment rates and a fall in poverty rates. Across countries, there is also a group of benefit leavers who do not move into stable employment and may move back on to benefits, or cycle between benefits and paid work.
• Reforms are effective where there is a clear employment focused ‘message’ delivered through well-trained and well supported case managers, with flexibility to tailor employment assistance and support services to meet individual needs.

Notes to Editors:

1. ‘Lone Parent Obligations: A review of recent evidence on the work-related requirements within the benefit systems of different countries’ by Dan Finn and Rosie Gloster is published today as part of the DWP Research Report series. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Department’s website at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs-index.asp and a copy of the stand-alone summary from http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/summ_index.asp
2. The Department has a comprehensive evaluation strategy in place and the review of literature was the first phase of the evaluation. It considers the effect of similar international policy changes that have been undertaken with a view to informing the LPO evaluation, as well as future policy design and implementation.
3. The review considered recent evidence-based literature as well as four case studies of comparator countries (Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States, with a specific focus on the state of Oregon and New York City). These countries were selected because each offered aspects of policy and practice relevant to LPO, and the extension of lone parent work-related requirements in Great Britain.
4. LPO was introduced in November 2008 within Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This required lone parents, who were claiming benefit solely as a lone parent, to look for work as a condition of benefit receipt, if their youngest child was aged 12 or over. This age reduced to 10 in October 2009 and will reduce to 7 in October 2010.

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