§ 35. Mr. John Townendasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the maximum social security benefit per week payable to a single person below the age of 21 years, without dependants and living away from home in London.
§ Dr. BoysonThe supplementary benefit entitlement of single people in board and lodging accommodation 427W reflects the charge made and the cost of any meals not included, subject to a locally determined maximum based on a realistic upper limit for suitable accommodation available in the area. To this is added an allowance for personal expenses—clothing, toiletries and so forth—currently £8.85 per week. The maximum amount allowed can be increased by £15.35 in a limited number of special circumstances, for example if the claimant is physically or mentally disabled.
The maximum amount to which a single young person in London may be entitled will, therefore, vary according to the "local limit" for the area in which he lives. In the Greater London area local upper limits range from £46.00 to £104.30. Supplementary benefit payments will of course reflect the actual charge made and will generally fall below the upper limits.
At December 1982, the latest date for which information is available, the average regular weekly amount of supplementary benefit in payment to the 1,500–2,000 single persons below the age of 21 years living in board and lodging accommodation in London was £47. We are arranging for the collection of more up-to-date information so that we can see how the criteria for fixing the upper limits are operating and to judge their effectiveness.