HL Deb 21 June 2004 vol 662 c108WA
Lord Hanningfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many children have been taken into care in each of the past five years. [HL3056]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

The estimated number of children who started to be looked after during the most recent five-year period is shown in the table below.

Chidren who started to be looked after during the years ending 31 March 1999 to 20031
England
Year Number
1999 28,400
2000 28,600
2001 25,200
2002 25,300
2003 24,100

Source:

SSDA903

1The figures are based on a one-third sample of all looked-after children in England