§ Mr. ConwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will consider the level of child benefit for the first child where multiple births occur; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeChild benefit provides a worthwhile contribution towards the costs of bringing up children, but it has never been intended to meet those costs in full. The higher rate of £8.25 from this April for the eldest eligible child in each family at any one time recognises that, at all income levels, families with children face additional costs compared with other families. It is therefore the presence of any one child rather than the number of children which is significant in bringing about that difference in expenditure. The standard rate of £7.25 will of course be paid for all children who do not attract the higher rate. A mother whose first children are twins for example will get a total of £15.50 child benefit a week.