§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in 1992–93 of(a) restoring entitlement to income support for all 16 and 17-year-olds, at the current benefit rate for under 25-year-olds and (b) raising the income support personal allowance for people aged 18 to 24 years to the level of the personal allowance for those aged 25 years and over.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 7 February 1992]Information on the cost of restoring entitlement to income support to 16 and 17-year-olds is not available.
The estimated cost of increasing the rate for 18 to 24-year-olds to that paid to people aged 25 or over is £340 million.
Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1987, 1988 and 1989 family expenditure surveys and the Department's annual statistical inquiry for 1990, at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels.