§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many families have been provided with grants through the Family Fund Trust; what funding will be provided for the Trust over the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [170606]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Family Fund was set up by the Government in 1973 to give practical help to families with severely disabled and seriously ill children under the age of 16. Since 1998 the charity has received separate funds from the Governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales amounting to over £27 million in 2003–4. The number of families assisted in England was £35,226 in 2002–3. England has allocated funding of £22.773 million. for 2004–5. The budgets for the years 2005–6 and 2006–7 are yet to be determined.