§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people claiming income support who are aged 25 years or under who are having deductions made from their benefit in respect of rent arrears because they failed timeously to renew their claim for housing benefit; and what is his estimate of the value of housing benefit thus unclaimed.
§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a full-time mature student in higher education is eligible for housing benefit for any part of the year.
§ Mr. BurtMature students in higher education are eligible to claim housing benefit throughout the year if they are within one of the specified vulnerable groups, which include single parents, student couples with dependent children and disabled students. Non-student partners can also claim on behalf of the couple if they satisfy the normal qualifying conditions.