§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases since 1 April the Benefits Agency has decided that a lone parent has good cause not to co-operate with the Child Support Agency in obtaining maintenance; what estimate he has made of the financial benefits which have accrued to(a) his Department, (b) claimants and (c) children affected; and if he will make a statement. [125440]
§ Angela EagleDuring April this year, the latest date for which information is available, it was accepted that 501 parents with care had good cause for not co-operating with the Child Support Agency. This compares with some 11,000 parents with care claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance over the same period.
The underlying purpose of the requirement to co-operate with the Child Support Agency where these benefits are in payment is to ensure that, wherever possible, parents and not the taxpayer take responsibility for supporting their children. The receipt of regular maintenance can also play an important part in helping to lift children out of poverty.