Children’s minister Nadhim Zahawi has rejected campaigners’ calls to introduce a national minimum allowance for foster carers looking after young people under Staying Put arrangements.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Zahawi said the government had no plans to look at introducing a national minimum allowance, despite figures earlier this year showing a fall in the proportion of young people moving from foster care to a Staying Put placement when they turn 18.
Zahawi said that the policy is “under constant review”, but rejected calls for a minimum allowance.
“The government does not believe that introducing a national minimum allowance for Staying Put carers is the right way forward. Unlike children in foster care, young people in Staying Put arrangements are adults and may be in work or claiming benefits,” said Zahawi.