§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the employment status of foster carers. [24566]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownPeople who provide fostering services are not treated as being in full-time work for benefit purposes and are able to claim income support and jobseeker's allowance in the normal way. Payments received from the local authority in respect of fostering are fully disregarded in calculating entitlement to these benefits. Nor are such payments taxable if they just cover the basic cost of looking after the child. These arrangements are intended to act as incentives for people to provide this type of service.