To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the additional cost beyond the standard uprating process of the policy announced on 21 March 2007 to increase child benefit for the eldest child to £20 per week from 6 April 2010; how many children he expects to be removed from poverty as a consequence of this change; and if he will make a statement. (130181)

The cost of increasing the eldest child rate of child benefit to £20 per week from 6 April 2010, beyond statutory uprating in line with RPI, is £95 million in 2010-11. The increase to £20 per week will provide support to all families in line with the principle of progressive universalism. It is estimated that it would reduce child poverty by up to 10,000 in 2010.