SINGLE parents are caught in a pincer of rapidly-rising living costs and need urgent support, a parliamentary celebration of Single Parent’s Day, hosted by Rupa Huq MP, was told.

Reviving the annual celebration after a pandemic break, the Ealing Central and Acton MP compered a reception in conjunction with Gingerbread, the UK's leading single-parent charity, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Single Parent Families.   

She said the country was now facing a perfect storm as the cost-of-living crisis intersects with war at a time when many households are still trying to rebuild after COVID. Single parents were often the worst hit.

Guests included Employment Minister Mims Davies, Shadow Minister Sarah Jones and TV personality and campaigner Jack Monroe, known as the Bootstrap Chef.

The minister described single parents as the superheroes of our society.

It was Jack Monroe’s second visit to Parliament in as many weeks having recently addressed the Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee.

She criticised the current five-week delay on Universal Credit for new applicants, putting households in arrears for two sets of monthly rent payments and utility bills.

Ms Huq concluded: “Single-parent families are some of the most hard-working individuals in our society, but they are all too often overlooked when it comes to employment opportunities, childcare and affordable housing.

“The minister will have heard loud and clear how urgent the need is for genuine support for [them].”