§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the regulations under the Child Support Act 1991 affecting the definition of a second family and on his proposals for phasing in of payments where there is another child in a second marriage.
§ Mr. BurtThe term "second family" is not used in the Child Support Act or associated regulations. The previous phasing in provisions have been extended to include absent parents whose new child support liability is over £60 a week. An absent parent can qualify for phasing if he is part of a family containing children, including step-children, or has care of a child for at least two nights a week, had an existing court order or written agreement for maintenance at 4 April 1993, and has his payments increased by more than £20 a week when maintenance is assessed under the Act.
Under the original phasing arrangements, where the new assessment does not exceed £60 weekly, the increase is limited to £20 for the first 12 months. Under the new arrangements, where the assessment is over £60, the increase is phased in over an 18-month period, in six monthly steps of £20, or 25 per cent. of the difference between the old and new amounts if this is higher.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition he has accepted as a second family in the operation of the Child Support Act 1991.
§ Mr. BurtThe Child Support Act does not use the term "second family". It does, however, contain provisions which take account of the presence of a new partner or step-children in the household or new children of the absent parent.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the operation of the Child Support Agency where existing court arrangements are satisfactory to both parties concerned.
§ Mr. BurtParents are free to come to, or continue with, their own arrangements for child maintenance, where the parent with care is not receiving income support, family credit or disability working allowance.
However, when one of these benefits is in payment then the taxpayer also has an interest, and it is right that the Child Support Agency should become involved to ensure that a realistic level of maintenance is paid.
§ Mr. RentonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to propose further changes in child support maintenance in respect of partners who have remarried and are now bringing up a second family; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BurtThe changes to the child support scheme which were introduced from 7 February, particularly the extension to the provision for phasing in payments of maintenance and the significant increases in the protected income margins, will help many absent parents with second families. The Government intend to monitor the effects of these changes carefully, and will continue to keep the scheme under scrutiny.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the timing of changes announced to the operation of the Child Support Agency.
§ Mr. BurtThe changes were introduced from 7 February. The formula changes will apply from that date; the new phasing provisions are being implemented over three months, with the phasing period running from the date of reassessment.