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Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill

My Lords, I do not believe that we would need primary legislation. I will have to check to see whether it will be done by secondary legislation—I am getting nods from the Box. I do not think that primary legislation is needed to secure it; that is the message that I am getting. I recap on the information and support service, which I know we have been through extensively, but is important. The existing system has only limited effect for the financially or personally vulnerable. The current system of compulsion targets only PWCs claiming income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance. For those on low incomes but working, there are no focused services; using the Child Support Agency is purely voluntary. Those who feel vulnerable but are not on benefit get little support and even when on benefits, of those who feel personally vulnerable—I understand the point made by my noble friend Lady Hollis—and who apply to the CSA, only 32 per cent of benefit-claiming PWCs receive maintenance. Basing an assessment of vulnerability on receipt of benefits is not a practical option. Being on benefits is not intended to be a fixed state—even more so with the Government's emphasis on helping parents into work. I hope that I have dealt with the points raised. I urge the noble Lord to withdraw the amendment because it would seriously impair the intent of the Bill and prevent something that I think that we all want to achieve.