HC Deb 22 March 1985 vol 75 cc642-4W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the savings in social security payments which will partly offset the cost of the employment and training proposals for 16 and 17-year-olds, set out in the Budget statement;

(2) if he will detail the areas identified for savings in social security payments which will partly offset the cost of the employment and training proposals for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds set out in the Budget statement.

Mr. Whitney

The Government's decision to promote a substantial expansion of the youth training scheme will diminish the need for young people to claim supplementary benefit. There will be reductions in social security expenditure, therefore, as 16 and 17-year-olds take up places under the expanded youth training scheme and receive training allowances or wages instead of supplementary benefit. The current estimate of the savings in supplementary benefit is £65 million in 1986–87 and £130 million in 1987–88.