§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost in the financial year 1991–92 of restoring entitlement to income support for all 16 and 17-year-olds at(a) the current benefit rate for under-25s and (b) the current benefit rate for people 25 and over, giving figures for Great Britain and the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. JackI refer the hon. Member to the reply to him on 12 December 1990 at column424 which quoted figures for Great Britain. Information relating to Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost in the financial year 1991–92 of raising the income support personal allowance for people aged 18 to 24 years to the level of the personal allowance for those aged 25 and over, giving figures for Great Britain and the United Kingdom.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe cost in the financial year 1991–92 of raising the income support personal allowance for people aged 18 to 24 years in Great Britain to the level of the personal allowance for those aged 25 and over would be around £185 million. There would be additional costs due to increased expenditure on housing benefit and community charge benefit.
Information relating to Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1986–7–8 family expenditure surveys and the 1989 ASE uprated to 1991–92 price and benefit levels.