§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what study has been made on the effect on 16 or 17-year-olds of the change in benefit regulations that removed their right to income support.
§ Mr. JackResearch from MORI was commissioned in July 1990 about 16 and 17-year-olds who claim income support under the severe hardship provision. The results
Year Age Expectant mothers in receipt of income support as a claimant Expectant mothers in receipt of income support as the partner of a claimant Total 1988 16 600 200 800 17 1,400 200 1,600 1989 16 600 200 800 17 1,100 400 1,500 1990 16 400 100 500 17 1,700 100 1,800 Notes:
1. Figures on income support relate to the date of enquiry not over the whole year.
2. Figures are not yet available for income support for May 1991.
3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
4. As the figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample, small figures may be unreliable.
Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, May 1988, May 1989 and May 1990.
Year Age Maternity allowance Sickness benefit 1989 16 Nil Nil 17 600 500 Notes:
1. Figures relate to the number of awards in the 12 months ended 2 April 1989. Figures are not yet available for 1990–91.
2. All figures are based on a 1:100 sample. As the number of sample cases is so small, in relation to the total population they cannot be considered reliable.
3. Additionally, 1,400 I6-year-old women and 1,500 17-year-old 54W were published on 16 July 1991 in the report, "A Survey of 16 and 17 year Old Applicants for Severe Hardship Payments", a copy of which is available in the Library.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what loans or benefits are available to enable people on income support to pay deposits and rent in advance to enable them to move into accommodation.
§ Miss WiddecombeBudgeting or crisis loans are available from the social fund to help with rent in advance for private accommodation. Help with deposits for securing accommodation is excluded from the social security system.