§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will include costs of family travel in remote rural areas as essential living costs to be assessed by the Child Support Agency. [28104]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellA broad-bush allowance for high travel-to-work costs is already included in the child support formula and the departures scheme, which is currently being piloted with a view to its introduction later this year, will provide the flexibility for this to be varied where it does not fully meet individual circumstances. The new scheme will also take account of high travel costs for absent parents, necessary to enable them to maintain contact with their children.
277WThe child support maintenance requirement is intended to cover the basic day-to-day needs of the children for whom an assessment is due. This is based on income support levels which apply nationally and it would not be appropriate to vary the amounts involved.