HL Deb 01 March 1994 vol 552 cc72-3WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average delay in the processing of reviews and appeals by the Child Support Agency.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Social Security (Viscount Astor)

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the Chief Executive. She will write to the noble Earl.

Letter to Earl Russell, from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Ros Hepplewhite, dated 28th February 1994.

I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the processing of appeals by the Child Support Agency.

To 31st January 1994,16,600 reviews had been requested, of which 5,800 had been cleared. The 10,600 outstanding reflects a rise in numbers in recent weeks—action is being taken to clear them. Information on clearance times is being collected, but because of the relatively low volumes of cases cleared, it is not yet statistically valid.

I understand from the Independent Tribunal Service that the average time taken between the lodgement of an appeal and the completion of the submission is currently 51 working days. The Agency has set itself an internal target of 18 days, although that target is not being met at the moment. The necessary steps are being taken to ensure that appeals will be handled as promptly as possible.

I hope you find this reply useful.