§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the net cost of raising the income support rate for claimants aged 18 to 24 years to the level of the rate payable for claimants aged 25 years and over.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe estimated cost for income-related benefits would be in the region of £250 million.
Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1985–86–87 Family Expenditure surveys and the 1989 annual statistical inquiry.
§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the net cost of restoring entitlement to income support to all 16 and 17-year-olds at(a) current 18 to 24-year-old levels and (b) at full adult levels.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe estimated annual cost of restoring entitlement to income support to all 16 and 17-year-olds at(a) current 18 to 24-year-old levels of personal allowance and (b) at full adult levels would be around £10 million and £150 million respectively.
Costs are based on existing benefit rates and youth training allowances; the actual cost would also depend on the number of people on youth training.
Source: The 1985–86–87 Family Expenditure surveys and the 1989 annual statistical inquiry.