Lone parents face 'demoralising' hurdles says Gingerbread charity

Unemployed lone parents will be forced to look for work when their youngest child reaches the age of seven.

Previously, they were allowed to claim Income Support until their youngest child turned ten.

Fiona Weir from the charity Gingerbread said many single parents will not be able to afford extra childcare costs and will struggle to find flexible part-time jobs in the current economic climate.