HC Deb 04 February 1998 vol 305 cc695-6W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish her proposals to reform the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement. [26408]

Mr. Keith Bradley

We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

Mr. Chisholm

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to guarantee CSA payments to family credit claimants. [25637]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made and we aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures the Government has taken to improve the performance of the Child Support Agency. [25647]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The receipt of regular maintenance is a central part of the Government's strategy for helping lone mothers off Income Support and into work. We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer. In the meantime we have already announced that an extra £15 million will be invested in the Child Support Agency in each of the next two financial years aimed specifically at increasing the amounts of maintenance which are paid.

From April this year lone mothers will be helped to complete a maintenance application form when visited by Benefits Agency staff at the start of their Income Support claim. This will allow the maintenance process to begin as soon as benefit is claimed.

The Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency is also introducing a number of measures aimed at improving customer service. These include more pro-active use of the telephone and a move to more flexible working patterns, including week-end working, so that clients can be contacted at times which suit them.