Local authorities urged to contribute to looked-after children’s saving accounts

The Fostering Network has called on councils to match the extra £100 a year for children in care promised by central government.

Education minister Alan Johnson confirmed last week that the looked-after children green paper due out later this month would contain plans to pay a £100 annual top-up into the Child Trust Funds of every child who has spent the previous 12 months in care.

Fostering Network Robert Tapsfield welcomed the news but warned that there was still more to be done.

“If we are to make a real difference to the lives of looked-after children, additional funding is urgently needed,” he said. “This is why we are calling on local authorities in England to demonstrate their commitment to being a good corporate parent and match the funding announced by the government.

“We also want to see the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland make a similar commitment.”