§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it would cost to provide the rate of income support paid to those aged over 25 years to all those aged over 21 years; and if he will consider doing so.
§ Mr. Burt[holding answer 10 May 1993]: It is estimated that this would cost £140 million. This includes housing benefit and council tax benefit costs. We have no plans to change the existing arrangements.
(Modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels using data drawn from the 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys and the Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry 1991.)
§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it would cost to provide the adult, over 25 years of age, rate of income support to all those aged 18 to 24 years who live in independent accommodation away from their parents; and if he will consider doing so.
§ Mr. Burt[holding answer 10 May 1993]: The estimated cost is £110 million in a full year. We have no plans to change the existing arrangements.
For the purposes of this reply, people living in "independent accommodation" have been defined as those who are classified in the family expenditure survey as (a) heads of households and (b) not related to the head of household.
Notes:
1. Modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels using data drawn from the 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys.
2. Cost includes similar increases in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.