§ Mr. Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average order for payment made by the Child Support Agency in respect of absent parents who are(a) employed and (b) self-employed. [10526]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe Government believe that children are entitled to the support of both parents. The child support scheme is designed to provide levels of maintenance which absent parents can realistically afford.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Peter Bradley, dated 30 July 1997:
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance assessments.The latest figures available show that as at 28 February 1997, the average full maintenance assessment for employed absent parents was £39.02; for those who were self employed the average full maintenance assessment was £23.72.The difference in the value of the assessments is due to the level of net income of absent parents who are employees and those who are self employed. The average net income for an employed absent parent was £191.83; for an absent parent who was self employed the figure was £150.00.I hope this is helpful.