HC Deb 03 May 1994 vol 242 cc417-20W
Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the annual total of maintenance payments resulting from assessments made by the Child Support Agency in the financial year 1993–94.

Mr. Burt

The 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. Donald Dewar, dated 29 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the latest estimate for the annual total of maintenance payments resulting from assessments made by the Child Support Agency in the financial year 1993–94. End year figures will be available in due course on the total amount of assessed maintenance. The Agency is unable to make an estimate in the light of recent policy changes. I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

Mr. Mudie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will breakdown the building schemes included in the sums to be spent by the Child Support Agency in 1994–95 on minor new works on furniture and fittings as listed in the estimates, class XIII, vote 4, section F3(1) and (3);

(2) if he will break down the sum spent on minor new works furniture and fittings, and £602,000 on major new works by the Child Support Agency in 1993–94 as listed in the estimates, class XIII, vote 4, section F3;

(3) if he will list and give details of the expenditure by the Child Support Agency on (a) computer equipment, (b) telecommunications and (c) office machinery in the years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Burt

The 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. George Mudie, dated 29 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the costs of works and equipment in the Child Support Agency (CSA). You have asked for a breakdown of the building schemes to be included in the estimates for the year 1994–95. These are shown in the attached annex. Additionally, in 1992–93, the CSA spent £368,000 on office machinery. Details of the CSA's expenditure on furniture and fittings, office machinery, and major and minor works carried out in the year 1993–94 are in the course of preparation. You have also asked for the expenditure on computer equipment and telecommunications. The CSA obtains computer services, including the provision of telecommunications equipment, via the Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA), another Agency of the DSS. As much of the information technology equipment, and many of the systems, are shared by the various Agencies of the Department, it is not possible to separately identify that which applies to the CSA. New charging arrangements throughout the Department will make this possible in future. In respect of the 1992–93 financial year, the planned capital expenditure by ITSA to provide the required services for CSA was £17.61 million on computers and £3.18 million on telecommunications. The planned capital expenditure by the ITSA in respect of CSA for 1993–94 was £3.85 million on computers and £1.2 million on telecommunications. I hope this reply is helpful.

Annex
Project Projected cost (£)
Additional expenditure to create space in child support agency centres (CSACs) 831,000
Accommodation expenditure arising from increasing CSA activity 1,595,000
Maintenance of the estate 850,000
Maintenance of CSA HQ 106,000
Further adaptation of CSACs 171,000
Ongoing furniture requirements 181,000

Mr. Mudie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure of the CSA in(a) 1992–93, when it was operating as a shadow agency and (b) 1993–94; and what is the estimated total expenditure in 1994–95.

Mr. Burt

The 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. George Mudie, dated 29 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the expenditure of the Child Support Agency. During the year of the shadow Agency in 1992–93, the total expenditure was £146 million. For 1993–94, total expenditure has been estimated at £117 million. For 1994–95, total expenditure is estimated at £154 million. I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Mudie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the CSA business plan for the current year will be printed and made available to hon. Members.

Mr. Burt

The 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. George Mudie, dated 29 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Business Plan of the Child Support Agency for 1994. The Agency aims to publish the Business Plan by the end of June 1994. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House and distributed to all Members of Parliament. I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Mudie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the CSA to complete all straightforward assessments within the original target times of between six to 12 weeks.

Mr. Burt

The 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. George Mudie, dated 29 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking when the Child Support Agency will be able to complete all straightforward assessments within 6 to 12 weeks. The aim of clearing such cases in 6 to 12 weeks was first expressed before the Agency had experience to live operation. In practice, the assessment process has turned out to be more complex and clearance times longer than was originally expected. At this stage it is still too early to predict what clearance times will be achieved in the longer term, although the Agency is working hard to ensure that all applications for maintenance are cleared as quickly as possible. I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the Child Support Agency's target for benefit savings for 1994–95; and if he will make a statement;

Year Applications Independent consultant Firm of consultants Other Referred to Committee
1988 10 1 2 7 9
1989 7 0 2 5 3
1990 3 0 2 1 1
1991 2 0 1 1 1
1992 0 0 0 0 0
1993 0 0 0 0 0
1994 1 0 0 1 0

Note: No applications failed but restrictions were placed on activities in two cases.

(2) if the Child Support Agency achieved its target for benefit savings for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

Targets for 1994–95, including the benefit savings target, are still being finalised, drawing on the experience of the first year of live running.

The final figure for 1993–94 is not yet available, but it is not expected that the Child Support Agency will have achieved its benefit savings target.

Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what age children are no longer eligible for child support from the Child Support Agency.

Mr. Burt

Child support legislation applies to all children aged under 16. It also applies to those aged 16, 17 or 18 who are receiving full-time education up to GCE A-level or equivalent standard or are registered for work or youth training, providing they are not entitled to claim income support and have never married.