Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) at what level, in current prices, he intends to set the rates of the recently announced job seekers allowance for an unemployed person under 25 years of age who(a) would currently qualify for unemployment benefit and (b) would currently only qualify for income support;
203W(2) what is the current payment to a single, unemployed person under 25 years of age if he or she (a) qualifies for unemployment benefit and (b) is able to claim only income support.
§ Mr. BurtThe rates for job seeker's allowance for those under 25 years of age will be announced at the appropriate time before April 1996. It is intended that these will be based upon income support levels. The current levels of benefit are given, with the rates that will apply from April 1994 shown in parentheses.
An unemployed person under 25 years who qualifies solely for unemployment benefit and has no overlapping social security benefit is paid £44.65 (£45.45) a week.
If entitled to income support, the rate of personal allowance would be £34.80 (£36.15) if aged between 18 and 24, or £26.45 (£27.50) if aged 16 or 17. The higher rate of £34.80 (£36.15) also applies to people aged 16 or 17 who are of necessity living independently.