Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 30 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions;Child Support Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been paid in compensation for Child Support Agency maladministration in each of the last five years; and how many cases have been involved. - Inc table and text of letter from Doug Smith of the Child Support Agency.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in compensation for Child Support Agency maladministration in each of the last five years; and how many cases have been involved. [79361] Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter to Mr. Steven Webb from Doug Smith, dated 7 November 2002: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from me. You ask how much has been paid in compensation for Child Support Agency maladministration in each of the last five years; and how many cases have been involved. The amounts that have been paid by the Agency's Special Payments Team in respect of consolatory and financial redress and the number of cases involved are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of Cases Total amount Paid (£) 1997-1998 1,389 786,590 1998-1999 8,195 3,683,277 1999-2000 7,705 2,529,695 2000-2001 9,821 2,736,479 2001-2002 12,007 2,518,487 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. I hope you find this useful.

Secondary information