The Welsh Government is about to set up a trial that will be launched this summer to provide additional support for care leavers. When they reach 18 they will be given an income which according to this article in the Children and Young People Now website written by Fiona Simpson, will provide them with the the income for two years. The project is expected to remain in place for at least three years and will be used to assess whether those who take part do better in the long term, financially, physically and emotionally, than young people who do not.

A group, chaired by Professor Michael Marmot, has been set up to bring together experts in basic income and support for care leavers who will inform the development and evaluation of the pilot. Organisations supporting care leavers have praised the announcement. Participants who receive the benefit will be able to work under the pilot but will be taxed. Tragically they will also be unable to claim all benefits they would be entitled to if they were not involved in the scheme due to a refusal to allow this by the UK government. Our Government should be focusing on this rather than putting up unnecessary barriers. It is vital for MPs in the UK Government to challenge Will Quince and call on him to reverse the decision before the Summer. Indeed it would be fantastic if this scheme could be introduced into the rest of the UK!