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<p>I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on Wednesday 27 February HL13942</p><p>There
is clear evidence that work offers the best opportunity for families to move out of
poverty and towards financial independence. Children in workless households are around
5 times more likely to be in poverty after housing costs than those where all adults
work. 62% of children living in a workless couple family are in relative poverty (before
housing costs) compared with only 3% where both adults work full-time.</p><p>This
is why we are continuing to undertake the most ambitious reform to the welfare system
in decades – so that it supports people to find and to stay in work. Nationally, there
are now over 3.5 million more people in work. Universal Credit is at the heart of
these reforms. It is designed to promote full-time work and employment for partners
where possible, through smoother incentives to increase hours.</p><p>Working parents
on UC can have up to 85% of their childcare costs reimbursed – worth up to £1,108
per month for someone with two or more children. We have also introduced additional
flexibility on support for up front childcare costs, increased work allowances, and
doubled free childcare available to working parents of 3 and 4 year olds to 30 hours
per week.</p>
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