CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was in action in the House of Commons last week.

He spoke in reaction to the announcement by the education secretary that care leavers who stay in education will receive an annual bursary of £1,200.

Mr Timpson’s family fostered more than 80 children while he was growing up, and he is now well known in Westminster as an advocate for children who have been adopted or fostered.

He is currently leading a cross-party inquiry with Wigan Labour MP Lisa Nandy to evaluate how to improve educational outcomes for children in care.

He said: “I welcome the announcement that children in care and care leavers who stay on in education will receive an annual bursary of £1,200.

“In order to ensure that they have the best possible educational experience, will my right honorable friend consider widening the scope of the Frank Buttle Trust quality mark, under which care leavers and children in care who move on to further or higher education have the assurance that their educational establishment will meet all their needs, including their educational needs?”

Education Secretary Michael Gove responded: “My honorable friend makes an important point, and I will ensure that the Under-Secretary of State for Education, who has particular responsibility for children in care, and my honorable friend the minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning take that work forward.”

Speaking afterwards Mr Timpson said: “This latest announcement shows that the Government really are making good on their intention to do everything possible for some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

“They have a really tough start in life so we must ensure that no doors are closed to them when it comes to the best education possible.”