§ Mr. Battleto ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to the effect of724W the new Social Security Benefits Regulations, SI 1995, No. 1742, upon intercalating students who cease to be eligible for educational maintenance and who now will be ineligible for social security maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [38406]
§ Mr. Roger EvansIn general, it is the educational maintenance system which is designed to provide support for students, not the social security system. It has always been the case that students who temporarily suspend their studies are not entitled to claim social security benefits unless they fall within one of the specified vulnerable groups, including disabled students and families with dependent children. The effect of the new Social Security Benefits Regulations, SI 1995, No 1742, is to restore the policy intention following a recent Court of Appeal decision. The Department for Education and Employment has recently issued revised and expanded guidance to all local education authorities about their discretionary powers to continue to pay mandatory awards to students during periods of temporary absence.