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Dept of Social Security;Child Support Agency

Answer

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total paid in 1999 by fathers to their children via the CSA; and what was the total unpaid liability. [131108] Angela Eagle: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Gerald Howarth, dated 20 July 2000: I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency. During 1999/2000, CSA collected and arranged almost £731m in child maintenance. Of this money, over £492m was passed via the Agency's collection service and the remainder arranged by the Agency but passed directly between the Non-resident parent (NRP) and the Parent with Care (PWC). The figure of £731m represents an 11% increase over the previous year and is nearly double the figure (£400m) for 96/97. A small part of the money collected will have represented arrears owed from previous years but paid during 1999/00. Unfortunately, figures are not available to say exactly how much liability was not met, but the Department's statistical division has estimated that just under £210m was unpaid in 1999/00. This does not include interim assessments set deliberately high in order to encourage non-compliant NRP's to co-operate and provide the details to make a full assessment. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

354 c272W; 131108

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Children Debts Arrears Maintenance

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk