HC Deb 23 July 1991 vol 195 cc543-4W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the current numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds who are(a) in employment, (b) in full-time education, (c) on youth training, (d) receiving a bridging allowance or (e) receiving income support.

Mr. Jack

The latest estimates of the numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds in these categories are as follows:

  1. (a) 784,000 in employment
  2. (b) 724,000 in full-time education
  3. (c) 260,000 on Youth Training in England and Wales
  4. (d) 13,000 on bridging allowance
  5. (e) 21,000 on income support

I will ask the Secretary of State for Employment to write to the hon. Member giving details of youth training figures for Scotland when these become available.

Note: All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

Sources:

  1. (a) Labour Force Survey, Spring 1990
  2. (b) Department of Education and Science, Scottish Office and Welsh Office, July 1991
  3. (c) Employment Department, July 1991
  4. (d) Employment Department, June 1991
  5. (e) Income Support Statistics, Annual Enquiry May 1990.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proportion of young people who receive income support during the child benefit extension period because(a) they were recently in care or (b) have to live away from their parents due to estrangement, have found work or training by the end of that period;

(2) how many 16 or 17-year-olds have been awarded income support on the grounds of pregnancy 11 weeks before their expected date of confinement; and how many of them were continuously (a) receiving benefits, (b) on youth training or (c) in employment during the earlier months of pregnancy.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for social fund crisis loans from 16 and 17-year-olds have been(a) awarded and (b) refused.

Mr. Scott

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as statistics held do not record details of an applicant's age.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he expects to publish the MORI report on income support and 16 and 17-year-olds.

Mr. Jack

The MORI report was published on 16 July. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North, (Mr. Wilson) on 17 July at column161.