§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints were lodged against the Child Support Agency in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and for what reasons they were lodged. [151444]
§ Angela EagleThe total number of letters of complaint received by the Child Support Agency in 1999–2000 was 21,015.
The total number of letters of complaint received between April 2000 and 31 January 2001 was 16,789. The categories are shown in the table.
Category of complaints 1999–2000 2000–011 Delay/failure to take appropriate action 12,001 8,652 Incorrect action 4,675 3,713 Communication 4,376 3,079 Policy 4,011 3,147 Complaints about staff 1,500 1,109 Disclosure of information 316 282 Good cause 174 40 Human Rights Act 0 77 Total 27,053 20,099 1 Year to date Note:
The total number of complaints is higher than the number of letters because some letters of complaint covered more than one subject.
§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when and how often child support cases are reviewed by the Child Support Agency. [151440]
§ Angela EagleEither parent can apply to the Child Support Agency (CSA) for their case to be looked at again if they think the latest decision on their case is wrong, or there has been a change in circumstances since their case was last considered.
The CSA can also revise or supersede a decision on a case, without an application from either parent, if it is clear that the decision needs to be changed.
§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances the Child Support Agency becomes involved in child maintenance cases. [151441]
§ Angela EagleEvery child has the right to a decent start in life whether the parents live together or apart.
The Child Support Agency (CSA) will accept an application for child maintenance from a person with care or non-resident parent provided that they do not already have a court order or written maintenance agreement dated before April 1993. In Scotland, a child of 12 or over may also apply for child support maintenance provided there is no court order in place and at least one parent is living apart from them.
The CSA only has jurisdiction to assess and collect child support when the parent with care and child concerned are habitually resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. In cases where the non-resident parent lives abroad, the CSA can handle maintenance only if the non-resident parent is working for a UK-based employer.
536WA parent with care who is in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or who is the partner of someone who receives one of these benefits, can be required lo co-operate with the Child Support Agency in seeking child maintenance, unless doing so would put themselves or their children at risk of harm or undue distress.