1. Parental employment in London

2. Why parental employment? -Parents tell us that they want to work -Work can provide a route out of poverty… -…but concerns about in-work poverty -Increasing pressure on parents to work – and to work more hours “We are restoring not only the incentive to get a job, but what’s more, to progress onwards and upwards towards self-sufficiency” Ian Duncan-Smith, Child Poverty Strategy “Of the 1.5 million children in poor working families in 2011/12, only 100,000 were in families where all parents (including both lone parent and couple families) were in full time work.” Child Poverty Strategy 2014

3. Lone parent employment rates Lone parents in London are less likely to be working and less likely to be working part time Massive decrease in lone parent worklessness

4. Mothers in couples employment rates Mothers in couples in London are less likely to be working, particularly part time Very little change in employment rates

5. Explaining the figures -Lone parent obligations (but parents with U5s also starting work) -Employment support to lone parents – but not to mothers in couples -Childcare 28% more expensive than rest of UK -Longer, and more expensive, commutes SLIDE TITLE / DATE DD/MM/YY / SLIDE NUMBER

6. In work poverty Wage levels alone are not enough to reduce poverty! But – gains to treasury from higher wages can be invested in children Income

7. Part time pay -Reduced London premium for part time work -> full time work is better paid

8. How many hours is it reasonable to work per week? -Polling -Parent’s views -In order not to be in poverty… AllAge of youngest child 0-23-45-1314-18 Single parent2520 2535 Couple Parent 137 39 Parent 2201620 30

9. How many hours is it reasonable to work per week? – Parent’s view -“It depends….” -On needs of family (not always related to age of children!) -Availability of childcare -Hours of work – when as well as how many -Values of parents -Wanted to work – and not just about money -Felt there was more pressure on low income parents

10. Examples of good practice -Employment services: -Recognising needs and barriers specific to parents -Benefit take up as part of employment -Councils using purchasing role to spread good practice -Timewise Council -Negotiating with employers around flexible working

11. Ideal solutions… -Parents able to make genuine choices on what works best for their family and same choices for families whatever their income -To enable that… -Affordable, suitable childcare -Family-friendly jobs -Employment support -In-work benefits supporting part time work for parents

12. Megan Jarvie London Campaign Coordinator mjarvie@cpag.org.uk 020 7812 5210