Letter: Lone-parent success story is there for anyone to read

Sir: Congratulations on your leading article today (11 October) defending lone parents against vilification by Tory ministers and others. All of us with relevant knowledge should be making maximum effort to inform the present debate.

A considerable body of research evidence about lone parents, their children and the impact of social policy is in the public domain. If ministers wanted to be informed, they could be - particularly as their departments fund some of the research - but do they?

Yours faithfully,

JONATHAN BRADSHAW

Department of Social Policy and Social Work

University of York

Heslington, York

11 October