§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will seek to amend the Child Support Act 1991 to make provision for single caring parents who do not wish to disclose the name of their child; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtThe Child Support Act already contains safeguards to ensure that if there would be a risk of harm or undue distress to the parent with care of any child living with her, she will not have to seek maintenance from the absent parent.
The Government believe it right that a parent who has no such good grounds should be expected to co-operate so that the absent parent can be approached about meeting his responsibility to support his child. It is a widely accepted principle that parents should support their children when they can afford to do so, rather than transfer that responsibility to other taxpayers who may have families of their own to support.
We have no plans to change our policy on this matter.