HC Deb 26 January 1994 vol 236 cc269-70W
Sir David Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people aged(a) 16 to 17 years and (b) 18 to 24 years were receiving supplementary benefit of income support in each year since 1978–79 and the latest month for which figures are available.

1. Mr. Burt

Such information as is available is in the table.

Thousands
Year Aged 16 to 17 Aged 18 to 24
1978 80 252
1979 79 256
1980 141 345
1981 166 533
1982 183 719
1983 175 813
1984 185 847
1986 168 903
1987 141 823
1988 101 687
1989 18 683
1990 21 688
1991 22 809
1992 30 925
1993 36 1,073

Notes:

Sources: Supplementary Benefit Annual Enquiries, 1978–1987; Income Support Annual Enquiries, 1988–1992 (1 in 100 samples each May); February 1993 is the latest information and is based on a Quarterly Enquiry (1 in 20 sample).

2. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

3. The information is not available for 1985.

4. Eligibility for 16 and 17-year-olds changed from 12 September 1988.