Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 19 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 January 2006. It was answered by James Plaskitt (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 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 evidential basis was for the decision to pass some of the debt collection for outstanding Child Support Agency cases to private companies.

Answer: [holding answer 25 January 2006]: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Stephen Geraghty:"You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis was for the decision to pass some of the debt collection for outstanding Child Support Agency cases to private companies.""On 9 February Secretary of State announced that he will be making £30 million available to contract out some of the Child Support Agency's debt recovery. We expect this to result in a substantially increased recovery of the current debt owed to parents with care.""We have carried out a market test and are encouraged that there is a market for this work. Since August 2005 the Agency has also been involved in a small scale Departmental pilot using two private debt collection companies to assess the feasibility of involving the private sector to recover Agency debt.""I hope you find this helpful."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 45043; 443 c241W;443 c241W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Child Support Agency
Monday, 27 February 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Children Debts Debt collection Child Support Agency Private sector Maintenance Repayments
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk