§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the reason for the fact that university students, including Open University students, may claim and receive supplementary benefit during vacation periods, subject to their circumstances, whereas further education students may not; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonYoung people under the age of 19 in full-time non-advanced education, including further education, are normally treated as dependent on their parents and in consequence have no supplementary benefit entitlement of their own. Child benefit is payable for them during both term-time and vacations and, if their family is in receipt of supplementary benefit, dependency additions will also be payable for them throughout the year.
A young person aged 19 in full-time non-advanced education may, under certain circumstances, continue to have his requirements aggregated with those of his parents if they are in receipt of supplementary benefit. This enables provision to be made for his needs during the term as well as the vacation. Otherwise he will, like any other student aged 19 or over either at university or in further education, be able to claim benefit during his vacations provided he is able to demonstrate that he is available for work.
An Open University student, who is not in full-time education, may claim supplementary benefit at any time, provided he remains available for work.
§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what has been the total cost on an annual basis of the cost of social security benefits paid to university students, including those of the Open University, for the years 1979, 1980 and 1981.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is not available.