Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 2002. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of lone parents exclusively (a) use registered childcare services and (b) rely on informal childcare in Portsmouth South; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of lone parents exclusively (a) use registered child care services and (b) rely on informal child care in Portsmouth, South; and if he will make a statement. [78966] Maria Eagle: The latest survey carried out by the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of DfES shows that in England, 29 per cent. of all lone parents had used formal child care in the past year and 73 per cent. of all lone parents had used informal child care in the past year. There is no information on exclusive usage or use of registered child care services. The study "Repeat Study of Parents Demand for Childcare" was published by the DfES in May 2002. This data is unavailable at constituency level.

Secondary information