HC Deb 01 May 1990 vol 171 cc490-1W
Dr. Twinn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the new leaflet for 16 and 17-year-olds, announced in November, will be available.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

A new leaflet for 16 and 17-year-olds (leaflet IS26) has been launched today.

The new leaflet will give up-to-date and clear information on the benefit provisions for this age group. It will be issued to all DSS local offices, unemployment benefit offices, jobcentres and careers offices. In addition, the leaflet will be sent to various other groups involved with young people, for example voluntary bodies, the probation service and secondary schools.

In developing the leaflet we have consulted a number of outside organisations including NACAB, Barnardo's, National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations, National Children's Home, the Scottish Council for the Single Homeless and the Children's Society. I am grateful for the help and advice that these bodies have provided. I am confident that this new leaflet will give 16 and 17-year-olds the information they need in deciding whether they should claim income support.

I have placed a copy of the leaflet in the Library.