HC Deb 04 June 1997 vol 295 cc195-6W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number and percentage of Child Support Agency cases in which the absent parent is in arrears(a) in total and (b) by regional office for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1359]

Mr. Bradley

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 Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 3 June 1997: I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number and percentage of cases in which the absent parent is in arrears. The latest available data on the total number of live cases with a full or interim maintenance assessment (FMA or IMA) held on the child support computer system shows that on 30 April 1997 there were 599,600 live and assessed cases. A breakdown is not available by Child Support Agency Centre. The total number of Child Support Agency cases with arrears outstanding from the absent parent is 300,903, or 50% of all live and assessed cases. This figure comprises 61,992 category A IMA cases, (10% of all live and assessed cases) and 238,911 FMA and other IMA cases, (40% of all live and assessed cases). Arrears include, initial payment period maintenance, current maintenance, maintenance arrears, interest and rescheduled arrears. The table below shows a breakdown of these cases by Child Support Agency Centre.

FMA and other
IMA cat A IMAs Total
Dudley 11,025 41,196 52,221
Hastings 8,031 31,565 39,596
Falkirk 11,132 40,474 51,606
Plymouth 11,430 43,235 54,665

FMA and other
IMA cat A IMAs Total
Birkenhead 8,530 39,200 47,730
Belfast 11,844 43,241 55,085
Agency total 61,992 238,911 300,903

The Agency does not have historical data on the number of cases with arrears outstanding to give comparisons for previous years. The information above represents a 'snapshot' view of the number of arrears cases at 23 May 1997. An IMA is usually imposed where the absent parent, parent with care or their respective partners do not provide all the information required under Child Support legislation to make a FMA. They are intended to encourage compliance. One of four different categories of IMA can be imposed depending on the nature of the missing information, ie category A, B, C or D. The vast majority of IMAs issued are punitive Category As which are intended to encourage compliance. Category B and D IMAs may or may not be punitive depending on the circumstances of the case. Category C IMAs are non-punitive and are used to allow self-employed absent parents extra time to provide the required financial details. I hope this is helpful.