THE number of single parents in the North-East has risen dramatically.

Research carried out at Durham University for the GMB union shows that about a quarter of all households with children in Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have single parents.

Between 1991 and 2001, the figure increased by 30 per cent in Newcastle, 43 per cent in Middlesbrough and 53 per cent in Sunderland.

Paul Kenny, GMB senior official, said: "These figures demonstrate the absolute necessity of employers adopting family-friendly policies, such as job sharing, flexible working, help with childcare cost, to enable these lone parents to participate fully in the workforce."

He also called for more after- school clubs and suggested childcare expenses should be made tax deductable for both employers and parents.

Nationally, the number of lone parent households rose by 90 per cent.

In the North-East, the biggest rise was in Northumberland, at 92 per cent, followed by Darlington, at 87.2 per cent.

The survey, one of two studies published for International Women's Day today, shed new light on the relationship between work and the family in the North-East.

A separate survey, carried out by the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), showed that women in the region have to set aside nearly half their earnings just to pay for childcare.

The research revealed that a working woman in the region needs to spend about 45.7 per cent of her earnings to pay for someone to look after young children.

Conducted by the Labour Research Department for the TGWU, the survey also shows that women have to work an average 3.2 hours to pay for one day at nursery.