Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which 20 local authorities will benefit from the £84 million in additional funding for children's social care services announced in Budget 2018.

We are pleased to be investing £84 million to support up to 20 local authorities to improve their social work practice and decision-making.

We will be working closely with the sector between now and April 2019 to determine how best to allocate funding; looking at those authorities who are struggling to meet challenges caused by rising pressures and who would benefit most from this support. Building on lessons learned from promising innovation programmes in Hertfordshire, Leeds and North Yorkshire, this support will enable target councils to work more effectively with vulnerable children and their families.