§ Mr. BestTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons(a) parents of A-Level students aged 16 to 189W 19 years receiving education maintenance allowance are eligible for child benefit and child tax credits and (b) parents of children aged 16 to 19 years receiving education maintenance allowance studying for college-based vocational qualifications are not eligible for child benefit and child tax credit. [185388]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe parents of all students aged 16 to 19 who are undertaking courses of full-time, non-advanced education in respect of academic or vocational qualifications and who are receiving educational maintenance allowance will be eligible for child benefit and child tax credit.
However, the Government are aware of the disparity in support to parents of children in full time education and unwaged training and intend to extend entitlement to child benefit and child tax credit for these young people at the earliest opportunity.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 6 July 2004, Official Report, column 623W.