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Treasury

Answer

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to make an economic analysis of the investment required to ensure that government programmes aimed at lifting children out of poverty reach disabled children. [96314] Dawn Primarolo: The Government's strategy for tackling child poverty-for all children-is set out in the 2001 Pre-Budget Report document "Tackling child poverty: giving every child the best possible start in life". This includes measures to guarantee a decent family income for families with disabled children, and initiatives to ensure these families have access to high- quality public services. In recognition of the fact that families with disabled children need extra help, in April 2002 the disabled child premium was increased by £5 a week on top of the normal uprating, to £35.50. In April 2003, it will rise again by £5 above inflation, to more than £40 a week on top of basic Income Support or tax credits, benefiting around 80,000 children. In addition, the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance was extended to three and four-year-olds in April 2002, providing an extra £39.30 a week to those families. The Government has also introduced a number of measures to improve the level of public service support available to families with disabled children. The Schools Access Initiative programme provides a programme of funding to help mainstream schools provide help to pupils with disabilities. Quality Protects, a five year initiative to improve services and outcomes for children in need, also takes forward projects to support disabled children and their families. And on its introduction by the end of this year the Children's National Service Framework will set general principles and standards for children's services, including services for children with disabilities and special needs.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

96314; 399 c653-4W;399 c651-2W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Disability Children Carers Finance Poverty Social security benefits

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk