§ 36. Mr. John Townendasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to change the system whereby young people who turn down a youth training scheme place are still eligible for social security benefits.
§ Mr. WhitneyUnder section 20(1)(e) of the Social Security Act 1975 a person who without good cause refuses a reasonable opportunity of receiving training is disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit for up to six weeks. Any supplementary benefit to which the person may be entitled is reduced for the same period, normally by 40 per cent. of the personal scale rate. These sanctions apply to young people who turn down a youth training scheme place. We have no plans to change these provisions.