More than eight in 10 single parents on universal credit unable to meet new work requirements

A survey of 638 of single parents by campaign group, Single Parent Rights, supported by Save the Children, reveals that for 81 per cent the change to the work requirements from 16 hours a week for parents of three and four-year-olds to 30 hours a week, and from 25 hours for parents of five-to-12-year-olds, is ‘unmanageable’.

Only 32 per cent of respondents said their work requirements were manageable prior to the increase. Just 6 per cent said they would be able to meet the new work requirements.

Single parents on low incomes, those from racialised minority groups and sole carers face even greater challenges in meeting their work requirements. 

The availability of childcare was cited as the biggest barrier single parents looking for work/increased hours face, followed by the affordability of childcare. There were also concerns regarding the mental health impact on parents and their children, along with a lack of flexible work. Almost half who are unemployed (45 per cent) said they felt discriminated against for being a single parent when looking for work.

One respondent said, ‘I’m currently an apprentice and my hours vary. I’m contracted 16 hours but I can do between 16-25 per week. It costs me more in childcare and isn’t even worth me working half the time what I pay out. I’ve just paid £318 for nine weeks and only been given £109 back. Robbery. Not even half let alone 85 per cent.’

The research also highlights that work coach meetings, intended to support lead carers looking for work and additional hours, that 74 per cent of single parents do not find them useful.

Ruth Talbot, founder of Single Parent Rights, said, ‘Our research reveals just how little consideration has been given to the impact on single parents right from the initial design stages of this policy.

‘Increasing work requirements for single parents will push many to the brink, negatively impacting both parents and their children. This isn’t about single parents not wanting to work – the majority already do - it’s about supporting single parents to find a manageable balance between paid work and their parenting responsibilities.’

Meghan Meek O'Connor, senior policy adviser at Save the Children UK, added, ‘To ask someone raising children alone to work, or seek work, for 30 hours of the week while childcare services remain unaffordable and difficult to access is proving to be impossible according to Single Parent Rights' survey.

‘Single-parent families are already more likely to be in poverty compared to two-parent families, so ministers must reduce the hours requirement so lone parents do not feel they are being set up to fail.’