News story

18th April 2002

No Ghettos For Lone Parents

Liberal Democrats will today warn the Government that they will oppose any attempt to "ghettoise" teenage lone parents, following Budget announcements that they will lose their right to independent housing and will be forced to live in "supported housing".

Speaking in today's Budget debate, Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, will say:

“No-one believes that teenage lone parents should simply be given a council flat and then abandoned. But we will oppose any scheme that would serve to coerce lone parents into living in ghettos.

“Any supported housing must be small scale and tailored to the individual needs of the parent and child concerned.

“When the Conservatives proposed forcing lone parents to live in hostels, the Labour opposition was justifiably outraged. They must not now try to introduce the same policy by the back door.”

ENDS

Note to editors

In yesterday’s Budget statement, Chancellor Gordon Brown said: “Where there are lone parents under 18 who cannot live with their family, the policy is that, instead of independent tenancies, they will have supported housing that combines accommodation with counselling and help with child care.”