§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 20 January (WA 161–62) on 16 and 17 year-olds living independently, whether they wish to revise their view that "all had some apparent source of income" in the light of the Children's Society report, Still Running. [HL869]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamOur policy is to help prevent family breakdown which can lead to young people leaving home. That is why it has instituted a range of policies across departments to support children and families. The recent publication of the Connexions strategy document illustrates our commitment to transform the support young people receive as they make the transition from adolescence to adult and working life.
The information on young people living independently which informed the Written Answer of 20 January was drawn from the Family Resources Survey 1997–98 and covered people living in private households. The information gathered indicated that, for those young people who were not living with their natural parents and/or stepparents, all had access to some source of income. The survey did not cover 118WA young people in institutions nor those who were homeless at the time of the survey.