§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about changing the system of maintenance payments by deducting the sums due from earnings at the same time as income tax and national insurance, enabling these payments to be made direct to the recipients; whether he has any estimates of the reduction of dependency on income support such a system would produce; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottWe have received no representations on this point although I am aware that it has been suggested by various organisations and commentators. Absent fathers have a legal responsibility towards their families but, for 105W three quarters of lone parents receiving income support, the absent parent pays no maintenance at all. When courts make maintenance orders they take into account, amongst other things, the means of both parents and therefore the ability of the non-custodial parent to pay maintenance. In certain cases where the father fails to make payments ordered by the courts, and this is due to his wilful refusal or culpable neglect, the courts may make an attachment of earnings order. This means that the maintenance payments are paid to the court by the employer. Any increase in the maintenance collected for lone parent families on benefit would certainly reduce their need for benefit. However the extent of this would depend on the levels of maintenance awarded and collected.