I would certainly not go any further. We need irrefutable evidence that there is full, affordable childcare provision before we do more. There is lots of evidence that it is very patchy, and in London it is inordinately expensive.
The above quote is from Terry Rooney (Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee) and further more he believes that the government should postpone extending lone parents conditionality. He supports the move to get lone parents into work and sanctions imposed if they refuse to take jobs.
But he doesn’t believe NL should push ahead with the stage which includes lone parents with a youngest child aged at least 12 will be required to sign on for JSA - until nationwide childcare arrangements are in place.
Well, I don’t have respect for Rooney (he welcomed the Welfare Reform Act) and still don’t have any respect for him but at least he recognises the need for childcare. Shame James Purnell doesn’t.
Posted by harpymarx 
