MEPs push EU member states to do more for single mothers

[Pantofino]

I didn't spot any mention of this in the Press....

"EU member states should help single mothers by setting up 'family centres' to provide them with temporary accommodation, advice and education, argue MEPs. Along similar lines, they call on member states to ensure that single mothers benefit from housing support and that they are given priority on waiting lists for renting houses. Another idea mooted by MEPs is for member states to develop online and interpersonal chat forums, blogs and telephone help lines aimed directly at single mothers. The idea here is to reduce their isolation and allow them to exchange advice, information and best practices based on their individual needs. "

I do like the idea of childcare being available at work. I don't know if it's the idealist in me but I think having good creche services in work places is a great idea enabling parents to work and parent more easily.

can see the logic of advice and education...but not sure why single parents should have priority over 2 parent families for housing.

dreaming - because single parents are disproportionately likely to have been victims of DV and therefore had to flee their housing. Also if you have only 1 income and no possibility of 2 incomes, you have far less chance of affording rent.

but if you are homeless and need a house what does it matter if there are more or less people in a similar situation to yourself? surely if you have a basic requirement such as somewhere to live that needs to be resolved.... and shouldn't be done any less quickly just because you have a partner?

In fact you could argue that 2 parent families should have a higher priority as there are more people involved.

Obviously if there is DV then that is entirely different and needs more urgent prioritising. I can see that.

ref affording rent.....maybe i'm being dim, but i thought housing benefit made up the shortfall and presumably if you are a single person with just 1 income you are likely to get more money than 2 earners - ie shortfall shouldn't be that vast. If it didn't then you wouldn't be able to afford some properties anyway and therefore i don't see the logic of giving single people priority.

am i being thick or naive?

The idea of childcare being available at work is such a great common-sense idea, i'm surprised it isnt already.