§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average increase in maintenance payments since the introduction of the Child Support Agency; and what percentage of. absentee parents have not been traced.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter to Mr. Peter L. Pike from Ros Hepplewhite, dated 22 October 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary 378W Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what is the average increase in maintenance payments since the introduction of the Child Support Agency; and what percentage of absentee parents have not been traced.The Child Support Act provides for maintenance to be assessed by means of a standard formula that produces predictable and realistic amounts. However, as the Agency has only been operating since April this year it is too early to be able to say what overall effect the Agency has had on the level of maintenance payments. It has always been made clear that the amount of maintenance worked out by the Agency under the formula may be higher than a previous court order in some cases. Average maintenance payments were £25 to £30 a week and under the formula the average is expected to be £45 to £50 a week.At the end of August, in less than one per cent. of cases where an application form had been returned has completed tracing action, so far, been unable to locate the absent parent.I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.