Little success for lone parents personal adviser scheme

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