RR 632 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
This review of literature is the first phase of the Lone Parent Obligations (LPO) 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. It comprised a review of recent evidence-based literature and four case studies of comparator countries, selected because each offered aspects of policy and practice relevant to the extension of lone parent work-related requirements in Great Britain. The countries selected were Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the Unites States, with a specific focus on the state of Oregon and New York City.
LPO was introduced in November 2008. Since then, most lone parents with a youngest child aged 12 or over have lost entitlement to Income Support solely on the grounds of being a lone parent. The age of the youngest child was lowered to ten in October 2009, and will reduce to seven in 2010.
There is a comprehensive evaluation in place to assess the effects of LPO. This consists of a mixed methods approach including in-depth interviews with customers and staff, large-scale surveys tracking customers over a period of time, as well as analysis of in-house and other data sources to assess the effect of the changes. The evaluation is being carried out by a consortium of independent research organisations, led by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion.
January 2010 120 pages 297x210mm
ISBN 978-1-84712-708-2
(520 KB)