§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what detailed proposals he has for the 16 to 18 discount card; who will finance these discounts; what arrangements will be made to deal with complaints by(a) dissatisfied consumers and (b) potential providers who are excluded from the scheme; and what is the anticipated cost to public funds. [94750]
§ Mr. WicksThe Youth Card will build on the current Learning card which is issued to all young people during their final year of compulsory education. When fully up and running it will reward young people in learning and help to remove some of the barriers to further learning by offering a range of attractive discounts covering transport, leisure, and the commercial sector.
Discussions are taking place with a wide range of organisations to secure these discounts. The expectation is that the cost of discounts will be borne by those organisations willing to accept the Youth Card for discounting purposes. Consequently no significant additional public cost is anticipated.
All those organisations willing to recognise the Youth Card for discounting purposes will be bound by contract to deliver the agreed discount and to ensure that any complaints are dealt with properly. This contract will be reviewed annually.