BROWN ANNOUNCES "BENEFITS BONUS" PAYMENTS

   Gordon Brown has announced plans for a new "contract out of poverty" - a bonus  benefit for families who meet a range of citizenship targets it will include opportunities to support children, those who take up work or acquire new skills or training in gaining employment.

The Prime Minister said the "benefit bonus" payments would be handed to deprived parents to allow families to escape "the injustices of poverty" and ensure that work pays for couples and lone parents.

Under the plans, alongside extra cash for getting a job and re-training, people could be rewarded for ensuring children attend school and visit the dentist regularly. They could also get windfalls for attending parents' evenings and helping out at schools.