HC Deb 26 February 1985 vol 74 c140W
Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the number of young people between 16 and 18 years currently in receipt of supplementary benefit through unemployment and (b) the costs of the payment of the benefit to the young unemployed.

Mr. Whitney

The latest estimate of the number of young people aged 16 and 17 years receiving supplementary benefit because of unemployment was 160,000 in December 1983. The amount of supplementary benefit paid to young unemployed people in this age group in the financial year 1983–84 was approximately £185 million.