§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department is currently undertaking to investigate whether child maintenance payments set at too high a level can provide a work disincentive to some lone parents. [40316]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe Department has an on-going programme for evaluating the effects of child support. Research by the Policy Studies Institute has already established that over 90 per cent. of parents with care who are not working have past work experience, and that maintenance provides an important incentive for those who want to return to work.