Youth Poverty

EDM number 2274 in 1992-93, proposed by Alan Simpson on 06/07/1993.

That this House notes that more than 500,000 unemployed 18 to 24 year olds, including 200,000 living independently in their own homes, have to try to live on ú4.97 a day and that unemployed over 25s receive little more, on ú6.29 a day; notes that this money must cover all living costs - eating, heating, clothing and job searching; further notes that there are all living currently 100,000 16 and 17 year olds with no income of their own who have no benefit entitlement whatsoever; believes that youth poverty creates homelessness, alienation and an invitation to crime; repeats the conclusion of the 8th Report of the Social Security Advisory Committee when it said about income support age discrimination 'we can see no sensible reason for this and have received no evidence to justify it - food, clothing and housing is no cheaper for a person aged 18 to 24 than for someone of 25 years or over. ..'; and demands that the Government abolishes the lower rate of benefit to 18 to 24 year olds, or at the very least allows the adult rate for those over 18 living independently , and accepts that 16 and 17 year olds with no employment or YT place should have the right to benefits restored.

This motion has been signed by a total of 119 MPs.