§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give his estimate for the number of looked after children in the care of local authority social services departments per calendar year in each of the last 10 years. [19310]
§ Jacqui SmithThe information requested is in the table. Figures are not collected on a calendar year basis but are supplied on the basis of years ending 31 March.
Number of children looked after by local authorities, years ending 31 March, England Year Number 1992 55,500 1993 51,600 1994 49,100 1995 49,500 1996 50,600 1997 51,100 1998 53,300 1999 55,500 2000 58,100 2001 58,900 Notes:
1. Figures exclude children accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.
2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
Source:
Department of Health annual statistical return SSDA 903