§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young claimants are likely to be affected by restrictions on benefits paid to under-25s who leave home while they are unemployed to live elsewhere; and what is his Department's estimate of the financial savings made through this change.
§ Mr. NewtonAt the end of 1983 about 37,000 people aged 25 and under were being paid supplementary benefit as boarders and the number is likely to have increased since then. We expect fewer young people to receive payment as boarders and to be paid for shorter periods as a result of proposals for change in the payment of board and lodging that my right hon. Friend announced earlier today.
§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Supplementary Benefit Policy Inspectorate has investigated board and lodging payments since November 1983.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Social Security Policy Inspectorate is currently studying this subject.