Written question asked by Ruth Kelly (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 25 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Children in Care: Child Trust Fund

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities (a) ensure that the full £100 Child Trust Fund annual payments for looked-after children are put in their individual account and (b) have used all or part of these payments for other purposes.

Answer: [holding answer 17 March 2010]: Information about annual £100 Child Trust Fund top-up payments made by local authorities to the accounts of individual looked after children who are eligible is not collected centrally. Statutory guidance:"http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguarding andsocialcare/childrenincare/childtrustfund/childtrustfund/ ¹"on arrangements for the payment of Child Trust Funds was issued to local authorities in England under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 which they must act under when performing their duties under section 22(3)(a) (duty to promote the welfare of a looked after child) of the Children Act 1989. The devolved administrations have also put guidance on the payment of Child Trust Funds in place."¹ Child Trust Fund Account Top Up Payments For Looked After Children: Statutory Guidance on Local Authority Practice in England."

Secondary information