§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many absent parents have had their maintenance assessments reduced as a result of the regulatory changes introduced on 7 February; and what has been the average reduction per week to date;
(2) how many absent parents have had their maintenance assessments reduced as a result of changes to the parent-with-care allowance introduced on 7 February; and what has been the average reduction per week to date.
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§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Ingram, dated 15 June 1994:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the effect of the changes to Child Support introduced on 7 February 1994.The total number of cases where a reduction in the maintenance assessment occurred due to the policy changes was 43,800 which includes 4,000 cases where liability was not reduced at the time as the change was below £1. In these cases the change would be taken into account at the next review of circumstances.Information on the average amount by which the assessment reduced is available for the 93 per cent. of cases that were reassessed automatically by the computer system. In these cases the average reduction was £9.00 a week. Information is not available for the remaining cases which were reassessed clerically.Specific information is not yet available on the effect of the changes to parent with care allowances. Arrangements are being made to obtain this information.I hope that you find this reply helpful.