§ 82. Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the likely effects on the physical and moral well-being of individuals and on family life, of the combined effect of differential rates of social security benefits and proposed community charge rebates, for those aged under and over 25 years.
§ Mr. ScottWhereas the present supplementary benefit scheme has differential rates of benefit for householders and non-householders, which may encourage young people to leave home, the new income support scheme will have rates of benefit which will vary according to age and family status. People under 18 will not be liable to pay the170W community charge. Those young people who are liable will be helped, in the same way as anyone else, through a new community charge rebate scheme and the help towards the 20 per cent. minimum contribution which will be built into income-related benefit levels. The new arrangements are not expected to affect adversely family life or the well-being of individuals.