The survey by the Fostering Network shows that 46 per cent of local authorities in England, 91 per cent of authorities in Scotland, 50 per cent in Wales and 100 per cent in Northern Ireland pay below the recommended minimum allowances.
Backbench Labour MP Hilton Dawson, who has tabled an amendment to the Children Bill to tackle the problem, said: "This situation where local authorities can pay what they want to foster carers isn't working and underpins the dire shortage of foster carers in this country.
"If the Government values foster carers, as I'm sure it does, they need to make sure local authorities pay a minimum rate and that rate is in line with the actual cost of caring for a foster child."
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