§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) 16 and (b) 17-year-olds are currently available for work and not in receipt of benefit. [40439]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe latest available labour force survey for Great Britain shows that, in summer—June to August 1995—there were 180,000 16 to 17-year-olds who were unemployed'. However, of these, 91,000 were still in full-time education and around a further 55,000 were either receiving benefit direct or their parents were receiving benefit on their behalf. Of the remaining 34,000, there is no information on their personal financial circumstances although many will be living as part of their parents' household. In addition, significant numbers move into youth training shortly after registering at the careers office.
Notes
1 The Labour Force Survey uses the International Labour Organisation's definition of "unemployed", i.e. people who were without a job, were available to start work in the next fortnight, and had either looked for work in the last four weeks, or were waiting to start a job they had already obtained.