BENEFITS FOR UNDER 25s

Early day motion 2465, tabled 10 November 2008 by David Drew (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes that young people under 25 years face discrimination in the benefits system, only being entitled to 47.95 per week to cover day to day living costs such as food, fuel and clothing rather than 60.50 for over 25s; further notes that single people under 25 years renting in the private sector have their housing benefit restricted to the average local rent for shared accommodation known as the single room rent; recognises that there are significant shortages of such accommodation in many areas, leaving these young people with a shortfall of up to 35 per week between what they receive in housing benefit and what they pay in rent; commends the Citizens Advice Bureau for its campaigning on this issue; and calls upon the Government to address urgently this threat to vulnerable young people.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 9, DUP 1, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.