Income Support

HC Deb 21 February 1990 vol 167 cc773-4W

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate what the overall cost in Northern Ireland would be of increasing the rate of income support for all single people under 25 years to the same rate as for those over 25 years.

Mr. Needham

The estimated weekly cost would be £265,000.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate what the overall cost in Northern Ireland would be of extending entitlement to full income support to all those under 18 years of age in receipt of bridging allowance and special hardship allowance in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

The estimated weekly cost for those getting bridging allowance would be an extra £1,500. Young people entitled on severe hardship grounds already receive the full rate of income support.