§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, under the Child Support Act 1991, a care allowance is payable by the ex-husband for the support of a woman who has remarried, and whether her maintenance should not rather be regarded as the responsibility of her existing husband.
Viscount AstorThe Child Support Act does not provide for spousal maintenance. It does, however, provide for calculation of the basic maintenance level for children aged under 16 to include an amount in respect of the care needs of the child. This is in recognition of the fact that children cannot look after themselves but require adult care, attention and supervision. Following the recent changes approved by Parliament, the amount reduces as the children grow older.
Child maintenance remains the responsibility of the natural parents unless someone else adopts the child. It is not the responsibility of any new partner of the parent with care to meet the care costs of her children from a previous relationship.