§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to pay benefits for each child rather than per pregnancy in the case of multiple births; and if he will make a statement. [166231]
§ Dawn PrimaroloBy 2004–05, financial support for children through tax credits, child benefit and other benefits will have increased by £10.4 billion in real terms from its 1997 level, a rise of 72 per cent. The 2003 pre-Budget report announced a significant increase in the child element of child tax credit—up £180 to £1,625 a year from April 2004. Both the child element of child tax credit and child benefit are already paid in respect of each child in a household, according to income. The baby addition to the family element of child tax credit is intended to recognise the costs on the family of responsibility for a baby and as such is payable per family rather than per child. This and other structural design features of child tax credit will be kept under review, particularly in the light of the Government's commitment of halving child poverty by 2010.