Harry Cohen
Child Trust Fund
This month sees the Inland Revenue start to write to all parents about the Child Trust Fund. There will be no forms to fill in but parents will receive information with regard to the implementation of the scheme and how much their child will receive. Parents will automatically receive their vouchers between January and March 2005.
All children born since 1st September 2002 are entitled to a Child Trust Fund which will ensure that they have a financial asset behind them when they reach the age of 18, and should help encourage a saving culture for both families and children.
Parents who receive Child Benefit will receive a voucher from the Inland Revenue, to open a Child Trust Fund account for their child. There will be additional money for children in families on low incomes and a choice of Child Trust Fund providers offering different accounts.
An additional payment from the Government will be made once a child reaches the age of 7. Parents and others (family and friends) will be able to contribute to the accounts and there will be no tax to pay on interest or gains in Child Trust Fund accounts.
Child Trust Fund accounts will become fully operational on 6th April 2005. The accounts can be opened as soon as the vouchers are received and additional contributions made after 6th April.
Further information can be obtained from www.childtrustfund.gov.uk
Following the publication of the White Paper on Health, the Secretary of State John Reid has announced the areas in which the Government is to concentrate health improvement policies. A total of 88 Primary Care Trusts have been identified, including Warrington PCT, as spearhead PCTs to tackle health inequalities.
Tackling health inequalities really matters which is why the Government has set tough targets. By 2010 they are looking to see at least a 40% reduction in the mortality rate in under 75s from heart disease and stroke and a 20% reduction in mortality rates in under 75s from cancer. In addition they have set a target of reducing infant mortality by 10%.
The spearhead group of PCTs will need to be trail blazers and as a result will be the first to benefit from extra resources announced in the White Paper, including the new NHS Health Trainers and personal health guides. The aim is to ensure that people in these areas live longer lives free of illness with better services and a higher quality of life.
If you wish to discuss these issues or any other matter you can contact me in the following ways:
- by telephone – 01925 232 480 * by fax – 01925 232 239
- by letter to Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, WA3 7JQ
- by e-mail at jonesh@parliament.uk
