§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money families will receive in total in child benefit this year; and how much more would have been received if the number of children were the same as in 1979.
§ Mr. BurtIt is estimated that families will receive about £6 billion in total in child benefit in 1993–94 and that a further £500 million would have been received if the number of children were the same as in 1978–79.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what dates since 1978 there has been an announcement of change in the level of child benefit; when each change came into effect; and by which Minister each change was announced.
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
Announced by Date of announcement Effective date of change Secretary of State for Social Security1 12 April 1978 13 November 1978 and 2 April 1979 Chancellor of the Exchequer 26 March 1980 24 November 1980 Secretary of State for Social Security 11 March 1981 23 November 1981 Secretary of State for Social Security 10 March 1982 22 November 1982 Secretary of State for Social Security 23 June 1983 21 November 1983 Secretary of State for Social Security 18 June 1984 26 November 1984 Secretary of State for Social Security 18 June 1985 25 November 1985 Secretary of State for Social Security 24 February 1986 28 July 1986 Secretary of State for Social Security 22 October 1986 6 April 1987 Secretary of State for Social Security 24 October 1990 8 April 1991 Chancellor of the Exchequer 19 March 1991 7 October 1991 Secretary of State for Social Security 21 October 1991 6 April 1992 Secretary of State for Social Security 21 November 1992 12 April 1993 Secretary of State for Social Security 1 December 1993 11 April 1994 1Labour administration.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases to date have been considered by the Child Support Agency; how many and what percentage of those cases have resulted in the establishment of new financial support arrangements; and in how many and what percentage of those cases a court maintenance order was already in operation.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mrs. Ann Winterton, dated 10 December 1993:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking questions about the operations of the Child Support Agency.To 31 October 1993, the Agency has processed over 107,000 cases. Of these, 47,000 (44% of the total) have resulted in the arrangement of maintenance. Figures are not not kept on the proportion of these cases in which a court order for maintenance 496W was already in operation. We estimate, however, that about 50% of cases taken on by 31 October were already receiving maintenance.I hope you will find this reply helpful.