§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether a young person under the age of 18 years who applies to his Department for income support on the grounds that a suitable YTS place was not available, and this situation is verified by the careers service, and the young person expresses willingness to enter a suitable place, will be granted income support either during or after he has exhausted any entitlement to bridging allowance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs Gillian ShephardThe Training Agency is committed and able to provide suitable places for all young people genuinely interested in participating in YTS. There is generally no question of income support being paid on the ground of non-availability of YTS places.
If the careers service finds that a particular young person cannot be offered a suitable YTS place it will contact the local Training Agency office. Training agents have the authority and resources to seek additional places, and to make these available as a matter of urgency.
If, exceptionally, any young person is registered for a YTS place but is not able to start immediately, he or she may claim income support and be considered under the normal provisions including, if appropriate, the discretionary power to direct payment of benefit if that is the only means of preventing severe hardship. If a young person is entitled to income support he or she may receive it in addition to any YTS bridging allowance payable. If bridging allowance is exhausted, or not in payment for some other reason, income support may be paid alone. Young people with housing costs can also receive housing benefit.