§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people aged 16 and 17 years in Birmingham are not in employment, not on a youth training scheme and not in full-time education.
§ Mr. McLoughlinIn October 1992 there were 213 unemployed claimants aged 16 and 17 years in the local authority district of Birmingham.
Changes to the benefit regulations in September 1988 coincided with the extension of a guaranteed YTS (now YT) place to all those aged under 18 not in full time education or employment, which meant that those who declined an offer of a YTS place were no longer entitled to benefit. However, there are still a small number of under 18-year-olds entitled to benefit due to special circumstances, such as severe hardship or by virtue of their being orphans.