Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Skelmersdale (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 10 January 2006.

Family Fund

Question: My Lords, is the Minister aware of a recent report from the Family Fund that says that people on average earnings have a shortfall in income over expenditure in caring for disabled children of some £5,000 a year? Further, is she aware that new claims for additional care allowance in respect of disabled children ceased in April 2003? Although child tax credit may be paid in addition to basic carers’ allowance, one size fits all—both able-bodied and disabled—simply is not appropriate. Is it not time that the Government looked at dependent child allowances again?

Answer: My Lords, my briefing has been centred round the Family Fund, and I am happy to correspond with the noble Lord on the wider issues that he has raised. As far as lifting children out of poverty is concerned, this Government’s record stands.

Secondary information