The Children’s Minister has urged other councils to follow Surrey’s lead by launching a savings scheme for children in care.

Minister Tim Loughton said Surrey’s scheme that sees cash young people pay into a savings account doubled by the council as “very innovative”.

County councillors are also contributing from their members’ allocation to a bursary fund for children in care that could amount to about £40,000.

Mr Loughton said: “I do hope that a lot of other local authorities follow the example that you’ve led with here.

“Clearly there are some really exciting things going on in Surrey.”

He made the comments at a County Hall event to mark the launch of the scheme.

Surrey’s leader Councillor David Hodge said: “I was brought up in an orphanage in Dublin so I’m a looked-after child.

“There were great people there who looked after me and made a huge impression on my life and what public service really does mean.”