HC Deb 03 July 1985 vol 82 cc176-7W
Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the figures for a proportion of those claimants between the ages of 18 to 25 years in receipt of supplementary benefit at (i) full householder rate, (ii) joint householder rate, that is the difference between (i) and (iii) divided by the number of tenants and (iii) non-householder rate.

Mr. Whitney

The information, based on provisional figures for December 1983, is as follows:

Claimants aged 18 to 25* Proportion in receipt of supplementary benefit (per cent.)
Householders 30
Joint Householders 2
Non-householders† 68
Notes:
* ie, not including 25 year old claimants
† includes boarders, hospital patients and claimants in residential homes

Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, December 1983

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many 16 to 17-year-olds have lost or received reduced supplementary benefit because of refusal to take advantage of a youth training scheme in October, November and December 1984, respectively.

Mr. Whitney

Failure to take advantage of a youth training scheme does not result in the cessation of full benefit but may result in a reduction. The number of 16 to 17-year-olds whose supplementary benefit was reduced because of refusal to take advantage of a youth training scheme without good cause in October, November and December of 1984 is given in the table:

4-week periods 26 September 1984 to 23 October 1984 24 October 1984 to 20 November 1984 21 November 1984 to 18 December 1984 19 December 1984 to 15 January 1985
Number who refused to accept or attend schemes 40 42 32 35
Number who prematurely terminated schemes 649 716 579 357
Total 689 758 611 392

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of single claimants aged 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 years respectively, received (a) supplementary benefit as a non-householder in April and (b) supplementary benefit in their own right but share their home with people other than parents.

Mr. Whitney

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

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