§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost at 1988–89 prices, of introducing educational maintenance awards for 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education in schools and colleges at(a) the same rates as income support for young people and (b) the same rates as training allowances paid to 16 and 17-year-olds on YTS.
Mr. JacksonAfter deducting child benefit and existing maintenance payments from LEAs, the annual cost of paying maintenance allowances to all 16 and 17-year-olds currently in full-time education in schools and colleges, is estimated to be as follows:
£ million (a) If the allowances are paid at the same rate as income support 320 (b) If the allowances are paid at the same rate as YTS allowances 675 Notes:
1. These figures are based on the number of 16 and I 7-year-olds in full time education in 1986–87, the latest year for which figures are available.
2. The figure at (a) is based on the 1988–89 income support level of £19.40 for 16 and l7-year-olds, less child benefit at the 1988–89 rate of £7.25.
3. The figure at (b) is based on the 1988–89 YTS allowance; of £29.50 per week for 16-year-olds and £35 for 17-year-olds, less child benefit at the rate of £7.25 per week.
4. Both figures assume no change in the 1986–87 level of local authority spending on maintenance payments for 16 and 17-year-olds, which has been converted for the present purpose to 1988–89 prices using the GDP deflator.