§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds who failed to gain a place on a YTS scheme(a) applied for additional benefits and severe hardship payments and (b) what percentage were successful in such applications in (i) 1988, (ii) 1989, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1991.
§ Mr. BurtThe Government guarantee the offer of a place on youth training (YT) to all 16 and 17-year-olds who seek one. The safety net of income support caters for those who are at risk of severe hardship whilst seeking an initial YT place or for those between YT places.
No information is available with regard to 16 and 17-year-olds seeking a YT place who claim benefits other than income support. Information about the number of people claiming income support under the severe hardship provision was not kept before 1990. The number of people claiming in 1990 was 14,106 and in 1991 was 25,541. Of these 61 per cent. and 71 per cent. respectively were successful.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has received a copy of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux report entitled "Severe Hardship CAB Evidence on Young People and Benefits"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he has made to the recommendations of the Social Security Advisory Committee regarding benefits for young people.
§ Mr. BurtWe have received the report from the committee and are studying closely the recommendations that they have made on young people and other matters.
46W
Percentage of Community Care Grants awarded to client groups Client group National 1989–90 Leeds West 1989–90 National 1990–91 Leeds West 1990–91 Over 80 with higher pensioner premium 5.4 2.5 5.5 3.9 60–79, disabled, higher pensioner premium 5.1 2.0 7.0 3.7 60–79, ordinary pensioner premium or over 60 without pensioner premium 15.1 7.4 14.4 8.6 Lone parent with disability premium 0.1 0.5 1.0 0.2 Family with disability premium 3.3 2.3 3.8 2.7 >Others with disability premium 2.6 7.6 13.0 8.1 Lone parent without disability premium 25.4 35.3 25.9 45.5 Unemployed, signing quarterly with family premium 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.0 Unemployed, signing quarterly without family premium 1.1 1.0 0.7 0.5 Unemployed or with training allowance with family premium 8.5 6.6 8.1 5.2 Unemployed or with training allowance without family premium 12.8 23.6 11.8 16.2 Others with family premium 2.1 1.8 2.2 1.7 Others without family premium 5.9 6.4 5.6 3.2
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will restore the full rate of income support for young people under 25 years living away from home.