Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North East Bedfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason kinship carers can only claim the lower rate of Child Benefit if they already have children for whom they claim Child Benefit; and if he will take steps to review this policy.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The higher rate of Child Benefit can only be paid for the eldest child. It is intended to help all families with children, acknowledging the impact on a family’s finances of the arrival of a child/children in the family. The arrival of a child for the first time may mean for instance that many parents have to give up work altogether or work reduced hours. When Child Benefit ends for the eldest child, the higher rate becomes payable for the next eldest child. The government keeps all policies under review in the usual way.
Financial support for kinship carers is paid at the discretion of the local authority and in accordance with their model for assessing support needs. There is no limit on the level of support, including financial support, that local authorities can provide. The local authority should have in place clear eligibility criteria in relation to the provision of support services.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North East Bedfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has established a (a) board and (b) working group for the purposes of realising the economic growth potential of East West Rail.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury has recently established an official-level East West Rail economic growth board with representatives from relevant government departments (DfT, DLUHC, DBT, DSIT & the IPA). The board will ensure that central government is fully joined up in its support for locally-led plans to maximise the benefits of East West Rail, and will co-ordinate activity accordingly.
The government provided £15m of funding at Spring Budget 2023 to support local authorities along the East West Rail route to further progress their plans to make the most of the railway for their communities.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North East Bedfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the value for money of public spending on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government recognises the significant economic potential of the Oxford to Cambridge region, but also that it is constrained by poor connectivity, limited laboratory space, and high housing costs. The Spring Budget set out the Government’s commitment to East West Rail, which will unlock locally-led growth. In line with the usual process, East West Rail Company will produce an Outline Business Case ahead of an application for planning consent and the Treasury will assess the value for money of the scheme at this point.