§ Mr. HindTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans following the publication of the Children's Society report, "Too Much Pressure", to introduce the same disregards for housing benefit for trainees on YTS as currently enjoyed by young people in employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardAllowances paid to trainees on youth training schemes are provided from central funds. Like social security benefits, these allowances are taken fully into account in the calculation of housing benefit. To provide a disregard of these allowances would mean double provision from public funds and give preferential treatment to a small number of people who are not in the greatest need. However, in July 1989, we accepted that there were special considerations for young people aged 16 and 17 who were living independently and liable to make payments for their housing costs and increased the personal allowance which forms the basis of their housing benefit entitlement to the same level as that used for people aged 18 to 25—an increase of over 30 per cent.