§ 32. Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to assist parents with the costs of raising children. [68040]
§ Angela EagleFrom next April the largest ever increase in Child Benefit of £2.95 for the first or eldest child will be payable to all families, a similar increase in the family premium will ensure the poorest families see the benefit of the increase. This is in addition to the extra £2.50 a week for children under 11 paid through the income-related benefits from November 1998.
A Green Paper published last year set out our proposals for a new, simpler and more transparent system of child support to ensure that more lone parents receive the maintenance which their children are due.
We also plan to extend the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (worth £35.85 a week) to 3 and 4-year-old severely disabled children. This will also provide access for them and their families to the Motability Scheme.
We consider that helping parents to work is the best form of assistance; the Working Families Tax Credit from October 1999 will provide more generous help to low income families.