Good morning. With Christmas just two days away, the Westminster tap of news, which normally gushes strongly, is down to a dribble. There is not much on the government's grid today, apart from an announcement about a plan to ensure young people leaving care in England will receive free prescriptions, and dental and eye services up to their 25th birthday, which we've written up here and also confirmation that some former mineworkers are getting a 100-a-week boost to their pensions as a result of a change to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme announced in the budget.
The disadvantage faced by children who've grown up in care is a huge social injustice. That's why we're taking cross-government action to transform life chances for these children and care leavers. This package of health measures will make a tangible difference to reduce health inequalities, keep more children safe and help more families with intensive support. It also delivers on recommendations from the independent review of children's social care that I published in 2022.
Young people leaving care in England face a sharper increase in homelessness compared to the population more broadly, latest figures show. It comes after warnings the youngest care leavers face a "devastating care cliff", which sees them losing support when they turn 18 and leave care, as well as difficulties with joblessness. Children's Commissioner for England Rachel De Souza told the BBC she was concerned the government were not providing care leavers with adequate long-term support.
