§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the incentives in the benefits system for young people(a) to marry at an early age and (b) to have children at an early age; and if he will make a statement. [62400]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 19 June 2002]: There are no incentives within the benefits system for young people to marry or have children at an early age. In general, young people under the age of 18 are excluded from receiving income-related benefits. The majority of benefit recipients under the age of 25 are single with no dependents.