Hunt’s jobs drive will push mothers on benefits to work 30-hour week

theguardian.com:

A generation of parents on benefits will be pushed into near-full-time work when their children turn three in a significant shift in government policy, the Guardian has learned.

Charities and academics criticised the move as “unconscionable”, saying it “devalues unpaid care” and would disproportionately impact single mothers, driving families into debt and vulnerable children into poverty.

In a sweeping reform which was quietly introduced by Jeremy Hunt’s budget last week, but which the chancellor did not spell out in his speech to parliament, hundreds of thousandsofparents who rely on universal credit will be discouraged from providing day-to-day care for their children.

The changes, to be introduced this financial year, apply to parents who are the family’s lead carer – the vast majority of whom are women.

The government says it could dock benefits unless parents:

Are available for work up to 30 hours a week once their youngest child turns three, nearly double the current requirement of 16 hours.

Meet with a job coach every three months – up from every six months – as soon as their child turns one. Parents of two-year-olds will have to attend coaching monthly.

Seek employment if their partner is in paid work but their wages are topped up with universal credit. These individuals previously had no obligation to work.

A leading expert on benefits sanctions said the changes amounted to a major shift in policy. “This appears to mean that many, if not all, of the current parental ‘easements’ on universal credit will be scrapped entirely,” said David Webster of Glasgow University. “It’s a complete disregard of children’s needs and will have drastic effects on lone parents.”

The measures are being introduced as ministers cast about for