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Compelling lone parents on income support to meet with a personal adviser had very little impact on their benefit claims, according to new research.

Among lone parents making new or repeat claims for income support, there was an increase of one per cent on the exit rate four months later – but only if they had made their claim between August and October. The mandatory meetings with a personal adviser made no difference to the exit rates from income support among lone parents who started their benefit claim between November and January. The highest rates were among parents whose youngest child was aged seven, or 11 to 13.

Among those who were already claiming income support there was also a one percent increase after personal adviser meetings were introduced in the number who had stopped their claim a year later. Parents whose youngest child was aged 13 or 14 were more likely than others to stop claiming income support.

The research was carried out by the Policy Studies Institute for the Department for Work and Pensions in 2001 and 2002. www.dwp.gov.uk