MP welcomes the raising of the foster care limit to 21

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has expressed his delight at proposals to allow foster children in England to live with their carers up to the age of 21. The Government has promised to invest £40million into the plan over the next three years.

Tim said: "I believe young people in foster care should be allowed to stay with their careers until they are ready to live independently. These proposals mean young people in care will have more time to prepare for life in an adult world."

"I am delighted that the Government is taking action."

Under current regulations young people in care are not obliged to leave their foster home at 18 but the parents stop receiving government support. The new proposals mean foster parents will continue to receive financial benefits until the young person reaches 21. The legal duty will be introduced as an amendment to the Children and Families Bill, and local authorities will be funded to the tune of £40 million over the next three years to put the arrangements in place.

The scheme had been piloted in 11 English local authorities since 2008 and evaluations showed that young people who stayed on with foster carers were twice as likely to be in full time education at 19 as those who did not.