People aged between 18 and 21 would be barred from claiming housing benefit under a future Conservative government, David Cameron has pledged.
According to Inside Housing:
David Cameron: ‘stopping most young people from claiming housing benefit’
As the last Conservative Party conference before the general election began in Birmingham today, the prime minister said his party would also cut the household benefit cap by £3,000, from £26,000 to £23,000 if it wins in 2015.
Under the plans, most unemployed 18-to-21-year-olds would lose their entitlement to housing benefit.
Out-of-work 18-to-21-year-olds would also be unable to claim jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) and would instead receive a ‘youth allowance’ – set at the same level as JSA (£57.35 for those aged 16 to 24).
To continue receiving the allowance after six months looking for work, claimants would have to undertake daily community work or take an apprenticeship or traineeship.
The reduction of the benefits cap and the restriction on housing benefit is intended to fund the creation of 3 million apprenticeships over the next parliament.
Reports have suggested the Conservatives previously tried to introduce a ban on housing benefit for young people, but that this was blocked by the Liberal Democrats.
Care leavers, single parents and some vulnerable people will be exempt from the reforms.
Mr Cameron said: ‘Our plans will give hundreds of thousands of young people the opportunity of a better, more secure future. And we will pay for it by cutting the benefit cap and stopping most young people from claiming housing benefit.’
Chancellor George Osborne said: ‘At this conference, we are setting out an ambitious plan to abolish long-term youth unemployment – to say it is not acceptable for young people to go from school straight to benefits.’