§ Mrs. Caroline Spelman (Meriden)The petition has been drawn up with the assistance of the Twins and Multiple Births Association, known as TAMBA, to draw attention to the disadvantage that such parents suffer. From April this year, the eldest child will receive an increase of £2.95 in child benefit, but each subsequent child will receive only 30p. This ignores the fact that the second twin or child of a multiple birth will cost its parents virtually the same to raise. The benefit of being able to hand down articles from an older child is often lost, and I am sure that a number of hon. Members will closely identify with that problem.
The petition states:
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House urge the Secretary of State for Social Security to consider extending the benefit planned for eldest children to all children resulting from a multiple birth.
§ To lie upon the Table.