HC Deb 28 November 1989 vol 162 cc214-5W
Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of women with children where partners have left them are receiving financial support from their former partners; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The only information that the Department collects about maintenance relates to lone parent families receiving income support. Ninety-five per cent. of these families are headed by lone mothers. The most recent figures available are for May 1988 and show that maintenance was paid for 23 per cent. of these families. The Government are naturally concerned that absent parents should meet their responsibilities for their children wherever they can afford to do so, and we are considering how to make our procedures as effective as possible.

Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry May 1988.