Single Parents in 2023
Posted 21 March 2023
We designed this research to provide an up-to-date picture of what it means to be a single parent in the UK in 2023, and to see what has changed since we produced our last report...
Published on 11 February 2020
Drawing on a review of the existing evidence as well as new quantitative and qualitative research, this report summarises what is known about in-work progression for single parents across England and Wales. The report outlines why in-work progression is a pertinent issue for single parents and explores their attitudes, aspirations, experiences and outcomes in relation to progression. Further, it examines what can be done in terms of workplace and policy interventions to improve single parents’ outcomes in this area.
In-work progression is a key way for single parents to escape a cycle of low pay and financial insecurity. However, this report highlights five interconnected barriers that are preventing single parents from progressing in their jobs:
To remove or reduce the barriers to in-work progression facing single parents a range of solutions are needed requiring action and collaboration from a number of government departments and employers, some of Gingerbread’s key recommendations include:
Increase the availability of part-time and flexible work:
Cheaper and more accessible childcare
Offering timely careers support