HC Deb 06 January 2004 vol 416 cc291-2W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with(a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) others regarding allowances for children in foster care; and if he will make a statement. [140912]

Margaret Hodge

Through the Choice Protects Programme and the consultation on the 'Supporting foster carers' section of the Green Paper, 'Every Child Matters' we are consulting widely with a range of stakeholders about support for foster carers. Choice Protects is also investing £113 million over three years to expand and strengthen fostering services.

The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services state that fostering services must provide foster carers with an allowance and agreed expenses, which cover the full cost of caring for each child placed with them.

The financial implications of the Green Paper will be considered as part of the Government's 2004 Spending Review.