§ 27. Mr. McWalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to improve the economic situation of children in families in the lowest 10 percentile of income. [63216]
§ Angela EagleWe have already taken action to improve the financial position of children in the poorest families. The child personal allowance in the income-related benefits for children under 11 was increased by £2.50 on 9 November 1998. From this April the rate of Child Benefit for the eldest child will increase by £2.50 over the normal uprating for all families, and the Family Premium in the income-related benefits will be adjusted by a similar amount to ensure that the most vulnerable families receive this increase.