§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what amount of child benefit he estimates was saved as a result of children being in local authority care in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [141836]
(2) what the annual cost would be of providing child benefit for children in local authority care. [141840]
§ Dawn PrimaroloLocal authorities provide financial support for children in care under section 23 of the Children Act 1989. The amount of child benefit that would be paid in respect of children in local authority care would depend on the rate or rates payable. The total cost to public funds of making these payments would depend on what other changes were made to the financing of the care.
§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the take-up of child benefit as a percentage of those eligible was in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [141839]
§ Dawn PrimaroloPrecise figures are not available, but the take up rate of child benefit is thought to be around 98 per cent.