HC Deb 23 March 1989 vol 149 c787W
Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what income support is provided for a single dependent young person, the only child of a one-parent family, in full-time study for forthcoming A-level examinations who becomes 19 during his final months at school; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Income support is provided for a dependent young person in full-time non-advanced education until he or she reaches age 19. As a full-time student the young person is not eligible for income support but local education authorities have discretionary powers to award educational maintenance allowances to help such young people complete their education.

Mr. Grocott

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost to his Department of income support for maintaining persons aged 65 years and over in private residential homes in the latest year for which statistics are available; and what was the average cost per person.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Information is not available in the precise form requested.

However, in August 1988, the annual income support expenditure on people in independent residential care and nursing homes as a whole in Great Britain was estimated to be £890 million, based on an average payment of £115 per week.