§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether it is envisaged that the proposed rate for teenagers referred to in paragraph 2.77 of "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9518) will include 13 to 17-year-olds, or 13 to 19-year-olds or some other age range;
527W(2) whether, under the proposals in the Green Paper, "The Reform of Social Security", it is intended that non-dependant 16 and 17-year-olds should receive the same rate of income support as that payable for dependent teenagers.
§ Mr. Tony NewtonThe Green Paper, "Reform of Social Security" contains no proposals on the eligibility to benefit of young people but invites views on changing the structure of the scale rates for children. We will consider detailed arrangements for the support of children and young people in the light of the comments received.