The Welfare Reform Bill, currently at Report stage in the House of Lords, had proposed that single parents with children aged between three and seven would have to take part in "work related activity". This activity would be decided by JobCentre Plus advisors and parents would have their benefits cut if they failed to follow the advisor's instructions.
But the Conservative's new welfare spokesman, David Freud, proposed an amendment to the bill meaning that no single parent with a child under five could have their benefits cut. With the support of the Liberal Democrats, the amendment was accepted yesterday.
Kate Bell, director of policy at single parent charity Gingerbread, said: "We're delighted that the House of Lords has recognised that threats of benefit cuts for single parents with young children are not appropriate. Single parents don't need threats to help them move towards jobs, they need real support, and a system that recognises their parenting role."
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