Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Board and Lodging Regulations – 10 February 1987

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Board and Lodging Regulations on 10th February 1987.

Ms. Clare Short Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now abolish the time limits imposed on under 26-year-olds in the board and lodging regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major These limits were introduced to contain escalating expenditure and curb abuse. We have published a consultative document proposing a simpler, more coherent system for payments to boarders while tackling effectively the problems of incentives and maintaining proper financial controls. These proposals could not be introduced before the new income support scheme in April 1988.

Mr. Caborn Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases the time limits imposed by the board and lodging regulations were waived because of the severe weather.

Mr. Major A wide range of factors is taken into account in exercising the discretionary power to exempt individuals from the time limits. Severe weather was put forward as a reason for exemption in only one case which was subsequently successful.