Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to implement a national exemption from council tax for foster carers; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a policy on the recruitment and retention of foster carers.

Councils already have the power to offer council tax discounts and exemptions in their area where appropriate. Some councils use these powers to provide council tax reductions and exemptions for foster carers.

All fostering providers should have a clear policy around remuneration of foster carers. Many fostering service providers provide incentive schemes as rewards, and we encourage the use of these.

Government has published a plain English guide to council tax, which sets out the support available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/paying-the-right-level-of-council-tax-a-plain-english-guide-to-council-tax/paying-the-right-level-of-council-tax-a-plain-english-guide-to-council-tax#am-i-entitled-to-a-reduced-council-tax-bill.

The department recognises the need to recruit and retain more foster carers, and the need for sufficient financial support to carry out their role. Foster carers pay varying levels of council tax across the country, therefore a nationwide exemption would result in inconsistent financial support, with some foster carers receiving significantly less financial support than others.