Clause 8 - Initial contribution by Inland Revenue
Child Trust Funds Bill
4:15 pm
Ms Ruth Kelly (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; Bolton West, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman has asked us to confirm the costs. As he referred to costs, I shall take this opportunity to say that the £30 million refers only to those children in care who have no one to claim child benefit on their behalf. I believe he was talking about a much wider pool of children in care—perhaps he will correct me if I am wrong—and certainly the hon. Member for Yeovil was. The £30 million is the annual cost in year 16 of the policy, which gives us a figure on which to work.
I am not against the matter in principle and there are interesting possibilities. I said that I am not in a position today to say that that is a policy we will pursue.