HC Deb 16 July 2002 vol 389 cc262-3W
Ms Buck

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many families failed to respond to the child benefit verification form sent to parents in the summer of 2001; and of these how many have lost benefit. [67530]

Malcolm Wicks

Each summer an exercise is carried out to verify the education plans of those children approaching the end of compulsory education. A form is issued asking the parents of these children to confirm the child's continuance in education, and to report a change of circumstances, applying, where appropriate, for continuing payment of benefit. There is no requirement to return the form as benefit entitlement will automatically cease from September. This procedure ensures those parents whose child is continuing in full-time education continue to receive child benefit uninterrupted.

In June 2001, 411,000 forms were issued, of which 197,000 were returned applying for continuing benefit. 60,000 were returned notifying that the child had commenced employment or training. In the remaining cases child benefit would cease from September.

Ms Buck

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information the Government have collated about the use of child benefit in families where there are young people aged between 16 and 19 years. [67529]

Malcolm Wicks

The Department for Work and Pensions has not collected information about how families with children aged 16 to 19 years use their child benefit.

Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take measures to allow the payment of child benefit to continue beyond 12 weeks when parents choose to have a child educated in a country outside the European Economic Area without the written approval of the school which the child previously attended; and if he will make a statement. [70098]

Malcolm Wicks

[holding answer 15 July 2002): There are no plans to change the provisions on child benefit for children being educated abroad outside the European Economic Area (AWAY). Generally child benefit is not payable for children who are absent from Great Britain (GB), and the current rules provide for most exceptions. The written approval of the school the child normally attends ensures there is a continuing link with GB throughout the temporary absence. Although entitlement for children being educated in non AWAY countries ceases after they have been absent for 12 weeks, if they return for home visits and then go abroad temporarily again, a new 12 week easement begins.