Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 October 2005. It was answered by James Plaskitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Child Support Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total of unpaid maintenance owed by the Child Support Agency to parents with care has been in each quarter since 1997–98; how much has been written off each year as uncollectable maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

		£ million
	Amount classed as collectable	Amount classed as probably un-collectable
2004–05	1,268.378	1,984.400
2003–04	975.894	2,004.847
2002–03	790.070	1,965.340
2001–02	611.209	1,915.312
2000–01	618.020	1,692.380
1999–2000	653.705	1,410.853
1998–99	690.235	1,069.680
1997–98	597.165	829.237
1996–97	397.447	748.040
Note: These amounts include maintenance owed either to the parent with care, or the Secretary of State (where the parent with care is in receipt of benefit). It is not possible to apportion money not yet collected to the parent with care or Secretary of State.
⁽²⁵⁾ Collectable debt includes that classified as ““probably collectable”” and ““deferred”” in the agency's annual report and accounts.
⁽²⁶⁾ 1996–97 re-stated in 1997–98 accounts for change in accounting policy.

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