We have put together, in consultation with organisations that have the interests of lone parents at heart, a radical new programme that offers the opportunity to find work to all lone parents throughout Britain. The new deal for lone parents was launched in July 1997, three months after the Government came to office. In April of this year, the new deal went national for new claimants, and in October it will be available for all lone parent claimants. The interim findings of the independent evaluation of the new deal for lone parents show that it is helping more lone parents to leave income support. The new deal for lone parents is real welfare reform in action.
Child care is essential to many lone parents.
For too long, Britain has lagged behind other countries in developing good quality, accessible and affordable child care. It is needed to offer equal opportunities to parents and to support them in their choices, whether they choose to enter work or to improve their employability through training. I do not see how the subject of child care arises from any part of the regulations. I am bound by Standing Orders to ensure that contributions relate to the regulations that are before the Committee. If I let the hon.