Letter: Poverty and the two-wage family

Sir: It is clear from comparative research that the UK has the lowest proportion of single parents in full-time work because it has the most expensive childcare and the steepest rate of withdrawal of benefit as people come into work. Until these bottlenecks are opened, encouraging single parents to return to work, we will be squeezing the toothpaste tube without taking the top off.

Earl RUSSELL

Liberal Democrat Social Security spokesman

House of Lords

London SW1