§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has carried out and with what findings into what happens to claimants aged(a) 16 and 17 years and (b) 18 years and over who have become disentitled to state benefit; and if he will make a statement. [8069]
§ Mr. Roger EvansVulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds who meet the qualifying conditions have access to social security benefits including income support and housing benefit. In 1990, the Department of Social Security commissioned research by MORI into the circumstances of young people aged 16 and 17 who claimed income support via the severe hardship provision. This was published in 1991 and is in the Library. People who are aged 18 or over qualify for benefits if they meet the entitlement conditions. We have not conducted research into people who fail to meet those conditions.