§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many young people who left school at the end of the last summer term are either unemployed or waiting for training places; and what social security provision is being made for them, including those who are not supported by their families.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)Information on the number of young people who left school in the summer and who are unemployed or waiting for a training place is not available. However, I am satisfied that the Training Agency has more than sufficient YTS places available for all those who apply for one. If any summer school-leavers have a request for a YTS place outstanding they should contact the local careers service.
The parents of a young person aged under 18 who left school last summer could claim an extension of child benefit to the end of the year. A summer school-leaver with no parents, or with good reason for being 637WA away from the parental home, could receive income support in his or her own right during the same period. In addition, a young person who would not otherwise qualify for income support, but who would suffer severe hardship if benefit were not paid, can apply for income support.