Liberal Democrats at Redcar & Cleveland Council have persuaded the council’s Labour leadership to push for pension rights for foster carers.

Lib Dem Cllr Karen King, who represents the St Germains ward of Marske, persuaded Cabinet Member Cllr Luke Myer to work with her on lobbying central Government at the recent council meeting.

Cllr King said:

“All council staff get the opportunity to join the council pension fund, including some contractors who are not council staff.

“But council-recruited foster carers do not.

“Recruiting more in-house foster carers would save the council money, as it would reduce the need for expensive agency staff.

“Access to the pension scheme would provide some future stability for foster carers who devote years and often decades of their lives to caring and offering a home to young people in need, and it will show that they are truly valued for the help and support they provide to the children in our care.

“I am pleased that the council leadership has agreed to work with me to lobby central Government.”