§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement, in the light of the proposed revised social security system, of the position of 16 to 18-year-olds who(a) are single parents and (b) who are unable to secure work in suitable YTS placements, with regard to their entitlement to benefits.
§ Mr. ScottSixteen and 17-year-olds who are single parents are currently entitled to supplementary benefit if they are not in full-time work and if their income does not meet their requirements. Their position from September,738W when the Government's proposals for this age group are planned to take effect, will be unchanged, and they will be able to receive income support without time limit.
Under the Government's proposals other 16 and 17-year-olds, with certain exceptions, such as the severely disabled, will normally have no entitlement to benefit. Instead, if they are registering for work or a YTS place their parents will be entitled to claim an extension of child benefit in respect of them. Child benefit will run up to the end of the calendar year for summer school leavers and for up to three months for others. Our intention is that certain young people for whom child benefit is not relevant (eg. orphans and those living away from home because they would be at risk of physical or sexual abuse) will be entitled to income support, but only during the extended child benefit period.
During this period all these young people will have the opportunity of considering the job and YTS opportunities that are available to them. The YTS guarantee applies to all in the age group. After the termination of the extended child benefit period no further child benefit will be paid in respect of them, nor will income support be available.