Question reference: S6W-21450
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 19 September 2023
-
Current status: Answered by Natalie Don on 3 October 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that foster carers (a) are paid a Living Wage, adjusted in line with inflation and (b) in Glasgow receive a fair pay increase, and whether it will encourage Glasgow City Council to (i) consider an uplift of foster carers allowance to bring it in line with inflation and (ii) introduce an annual and consistent increase for foster carers allowance.
Answer
Foster carers are classed as self-employed and, therefore, receive payments in the form of foster carer allowances and fees. Responsibility for providing financial support to foster carers registered with Glasgow City Council is a matter for Glasgow City Council.
The Scottish Government recently introduced a new Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) for foster and kinship carers across Scotland, to be backdated to 1 April 2023. This will ensure that a consistent and transparent level of financial support is provided to all eligible foster and kinship carers across Scotland.
We are committed to maintaining the 2023-24 levels of support for the SRA going forward, and to reviewing the funding implications for future years from 2024-25.
Responsibility, however, for setting levels of foster carer fees along with consideration of any adjustment to fees in line with inflation - lies with the relevant local authority.