Every child does indeed need love. And as you rightly point out, family and friends play a vital role in caring for children who are unable to live with their parents. The numbers of children going into the care system are rising and there is a collective duty to do our best for them. Kinship care is often the best way for a child to be brought up in a stable, loving family home.
I am aware that a Private Member’s Bill has been tabled by Munira Wilson MP which seeks to provide a statutory definition of kinship care. Further, it intends to make a provision about allowances and parental leave for kinship carers.
The Government is committed to providing support for kinship carers. I understand that the Department for Education is currently already considering the recommendations made in the Independent Review of Children's Social Care. This includes the recommendations to introduce a statutory definition of kinship care, provide kinship carers with paid time off work when a child starts living with them, and provide financial allowances at the same rate as foster carers.
Further, statutory guidance for local authorities on supporting kinship carers has been issued. This makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare. It explains that support, including financial support, can be provided under the Children Act 1989. Local authorities should also have clear eligibility criteria in place in relation to the support services they provide.
Local authorities are also required by central government to publish a policy that sets out their approach to promoting and supporting the needs of all children living with kinship carers. The policy should be clear, updated regularly, and made freely and widely available. I would encourage you to contact our local authority for more information about the policy in our area.
On the rise in the cost of living more generally, I add for completeness that I have been lobbying Ministers for further Government support to help the people of Cheltenham. I welcome the introduction of the Energy Price Guarantee which will save the average household at least £1,000 a year. Over £70m is coming to Cheltenham alone in energy bills support.
This action is in addition to the £37 billion worth of support introduced earlier this year by the former Chancellor. Under that scheme, all households are entitled to a £400 payment Energy Bill Rebate. Again, if you have a direct debit you may have seen that on your bills being deducted at source at a rate of around £67 per month.
Further, up to £1,200 is being provided for households in receipt of qualifying benefits. Winter Fuel Payments, Cold Weather Payments are also available. These payments provide vulnerable households on qualifying benefits with financial support when the weather is, or is forecasted to be, unusually cold. £25 is available for eligible households for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. A £150 council tax discount also is available for those living in Band A-D properties, plus a further £650 grant for those on Universal Credit and other benefits.
People here in Cheltenham may also be eligible for a portion of the £144 million of discretionary funding which has been provided to local authorities like Cheltenham Borough Council to support those not eligible for the council tax rebate under the A-D criteria.
I will make sure the Secretary of State for Education is aware of the campaign.