This briefing was last updated in January 2017.

This briefing was last updated in January 2017.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to lay before Parliament the results of the 30-month review required under Section 141 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 of the effect of the Child Support Fees Regulations 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to lay before Parliament the results of the 30-month review required under Section 141 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 of the effect of the Child Support Fees Regulations 2014.

Letter dated 12/02/2014 from Lord Freud to Baroness Sherlock regarding the Child Support Fes Regulations 2013 debate in Grand Committee 4 February. 2 p.

Letter dated 12/02/2014 from Lord Freud to Baroness Sherlock regarding the Child Support Fes Regulations 2013 debate in Grand Committee 4 February. 2 p.

Lords motions to approve. Agreed to on question.

Lords motions to approve. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I will speak also to the draft Child Support (Ending Liability in Existing Cases and Transition to New Calculation Rules) Regulations 2014.

These regulations were laid before both Houses on 2 December 2013. They enable the department to charge application, collection and enforcement fees for the statutory child maintenance...

My Lords, I will speak also to the draft Child Support (Ending Liability in Existing Cases and Transition to New Calculation Rules) Regulations 2014.

These regulations were laid before both Houses on 2 December 2013. They enable the department to charge application, collection and enforcement fees for the statutory child maintenance...

My Lords, I want to comment on Regulation 7(3) of the fees regulations and, incidentally, on Regulation 8(2). I have interests in children’s charities and care organisations, which may or may not be relevant to what I am going to say now but I declare them for caution.

It is rather...

My Lords, I want to comment on Regulation 7(3) of the fees regulations and, incidentally, on Regulation 8(2). I have interests in children’s charities and care organisations, which may or may not be relevant to what I am going to say now but I declare them for caution.

It is rather...

My Lords, your Lordships may remember that I was one of those who supported the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, in the very important amendment that he has just referred to. I, too, remain concerned that despite the concessions made by the Government in reducing the application...

My Lords, your Lordships may remember that I was one of those who supported the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, in the very important amendment that he has just referred to. I, too, remain concerned that despite the concessions made by the Government in reducing the application...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my two colleagues in this important debate. My noble and learned friend Lord Mackay led the House in earlier stages of the Bill in a commanding and profoundly serious way. His weight being added to this question is something to which I...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my two colleagues in this important debate. My noble and learned friend Lord Mackay led the House in earlier stages of the Bill in a commanding and profoundly serious way. His weight being added to this question is something to which I...

My Lords, in speaking to these regulations I declare an historic interest as a former non-executive director of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission until 2010, and a very historic interest as a former chief executive of the National Council for One Parent Families, which is now lost in the...

My Lords, in speaking to these regulations I declare an historic interest as a former non-executive director of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission until 2010, and a very historic interest as a former chief executive of the National Council for One Parent Families, which is now lost in the...

I thank noble Lords for a set of very interesting contributions to this debate. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into this area and it has provided a very constructive approach, not just today but over a considerable time. I therefore need to respond to as...

I thank noble Lords for a set of very interesting contributions to this debate. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into this area and it has provided a very constructive approach, not just today but over a considerable time. I therefore need to respond to as...

I thank the Minister for going through all those questions—I am very grateful. I still have a couple which perhaps he missed out.

The Minister has explained to us that the Government believe that there will be more children in receipt of maintenance and more effective arrangements. However, he did not...

I thank the Minister for going through all those questions—I am very grateful. I still have a couple which perhaps he missed out.

The Minister has explained to us that the Government believe that there will be more children in receipt of maintenance and more effective arrangements. However, he did not...

On the question of the amount of maintenance, our estimate at this stage is that more children will get maintenance. That is what I have said. How much that maintenance is in money terms is less clear at this stage. It is one of the things that we will find...

On the question of the amount of maintenance, our estimate at this stage is that more children will get maintenance. That is what I have said. How much that maintenance is in money terms is less clear at this stage. It is one of the things that we will find...

So the CSA does no investigating of its own? I am sorry; I must have misunderstood that point.

So the CSA does no investigating of its own? I am sorry; I must have misunderstood that point.

No. Currently the CSA checks with HMRC. As now, it will be able to provide information to support its suspicions that all might not be well. This is a difficult issue more generally.

On the question about the campaign, we are planning a media campaign using social media and paid-for channels...

No. Currently the CSA checks with HMRC. As now, it will be able to provide information to support its suspicions that all might not be well. This is a difficult issue more generally.

On the question about the campaign, we are planning a media campaign using social media and paid-for channels...

Motion that the draft Child Support Fees Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 2 December 2013, be approved. Agreed to on question.

Motion that the draft Child Support Fees Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 2 December 2013, be approved. Agreed to on question.

Lords motions to consider agreed to on question.

Lords motions to consider agreed to on question.

Motion to consider. Agreed to on division (9 votes to 1).

Motion to consider. Agreed to on division (9 votes to 1).