HC Deb 02 December 1993 vol 233 cc716-7W
Sir David Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the estimated numbers of lone parents in the United Kingdom in 1963, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1992 or the nearest years to these for which figures are available, distinguishing where possible between lone fathers and lone mothers and between(a) widowed, (b) divorced or separated and (c) never married lone parents; and what were the numbers and percentages of lone parents in each year who were dependent on (i) supplementary benefit or income support or (ii) family income supplement or family credit.

Mr. Burt

The available information is in the tables. The figures given are for Great Britain as UK figures for the total number of lone parents are unavailable. The first year for which data is available is 1971; figures for the marital status of lone fathers are unavailable.

direct to the Secretary of State. Earnings in this context include wages or salary, from whatever source, but do not include training allowances.

Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what ways a full-time training allowance paid to a person participating in European social fund training course is taken into account by the Child Support Agency in assessing maintenance payments when the allowance is(a) paid to the parent with care or (b) paid to the absent parent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

The treatment of training allowances in the assessment of maintenance by the Child Support Agency does not depend on the source from which they are funded. Allowances under the youth training scheme are ignored. Other training allowances, net of additions such as those for travel or being away from home, are treated as part of the parent's income. These arrangements apply equally to parents with care and absent parents.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to instruct the Child Support Agency to ensure that maintenance payments are phased in over a reasonable period; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

There are existing provisions for phasing in child support maintenance assessments. These provisions apply where an absent parent with a court order or written maintenance agreement has a second family and a new liability of less than £60. In these circumstances the amount of any increase will be limited to £20 for the first 12 months.