HL Deb 17 January 1991 vol 524 cc84-5WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the 39,341 claims by 16 and 17 year-olds referred to the severe hardship claims unit between 1st April 1989 and 30th November 1990 (HC Deb., 12th December 1990, col. 426) were successful.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Henley)

Of these claims 27,259 (69 per cent.) were successful.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many 16 and 17 year-olds in January 1990 were neither in full-time education or training, nor employed, nor receiving any social security benefit.

Lord Henley

The information requested is not available. All young people under 18 years who are not in full-time education or a job and are seeking training are guaranteed a suitable place on youth training.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the research on 16 and 17 year-olds announced by Lord Henley (H.L. Deb., 2nd July 1990, col. 1900) will collect statistically reliable information on how the Income Support rules are working in practice, or whether it will instead be confined to the operation of the severe hardship provisions.

Lord Henley

Although the sample for the research is restricted to young people who claimed Income Support under the severe hardship provision, the information gathered is wider and extends to claimants' understanding of Income Support rules, their views of the service provided by benefit offices, their experience of work and youth training, their housing and financial circumstances and other aspects of their lives. A special exercise was mounted to ensure that homeless people were included in the sample and follow-up interviews have been conducted to ascertain any special difficulties faced by pregnant young women. The Employment Department has undertaken a further exercise to investigate the operation of the guarantee of a training place to all young people who are not in full-time education or a job, and who seek entry to training.