Queen’s Speech 2008: Welfare
Single parents’ benefits will be cut if they do not accept “incentives” to enter the job market, the welfare reform bill announced in the Queen’s Speech this morning suggests.
According to the bill parents will have to prepare for work or community service when their youngest child reaches the age of one. When the child reaches the age of seven single parents will have to seek work.
Only parents who are severely disabled or those who have a child under the age of one will be exempt from the new bill’s provisions.
Many fear the cut-off for single parents could be reduced and parents will have to enter the job market when their child is just one year old.
Unions and left-wing activists have criticised the proposed legislation which they claim is poorly timed as Britain’s economy slides into recession.
But the government believes this is a relevant time to have a “fundamental rethink” of employment as job losses continue to mount.
The Queen said this morning the goal of the government is to “ensure the security of the British economy.”
The government argues the changes promote personal responsibility and independence.
