A Dunedin programme aimed at lifting young mothers out of poverty through education may close because of lack of funds, Dunedin South MP Clare Curran says.
The Salvation Army, which runs the Step Ahead programme, yesterday declined to comment, saying it was still in talks with Work and Income about the programme. Step Ahead assists young single mothers to gain NCEA and other qualifications.
They are able to bring their children to the programme.
Ms Curran said education was the only way those in poverty could gain skills to create a decent life.
She said the programme was the only one in Dunedin focused on educational achievement for young single mothers.
''You can see the transformation. They come in demoralised, thinking that they're trapped into a life of being a solo mum on a benefit. And they're learning skills, they're socialising, they're developing career plans, and studying.''
Ms Curran wrote to Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, asking her whether the programme would continue to be funded. Ms Bennett replied this week, saying in a letter the programme had been unable to secure funding. An extra six months' funding ($20,880) would be provided to allow students to complete the 2013 academic year.
Ms Bennett said the programme lost funding from the Tertiary Education Commission in 2010, at which time she asked Work and Income to fund it until a solution was found. Despite ''best efforts'' no alternative funding was identified.
Yesterday, Ms Bennett's office referred the Otago Daily Times to the Ministry of Social Development, saying the matter was operational.
The ministry declined to comment, citing the discussions with the Salvation Army.
Salvation Army Employment Plus chief executive Mark Pickering said, through a spokesman, the organisation was in talks with Work and Income.
