HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 cc188-9W
Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the guidelines for the minimum levels of income which absent parents should expect to live on following calculations by the CSA. [13735]

Mr. Keith Bradley

For those in work, child support assessments made under the maintenance formula ensure that an absent parent is generally left with at least 70 per cent. of his net income and at least £30 a week more than he would have if claiming income support. Most absent parents are left with significantly higher amounts, though lower figures may apply where, for example, an interim maintenance assessment has been imposed in an effort to secure the absent parent's co-operation or the absent parent is in arrears with his payments.

Absent parents who receive income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance are generally required to pay a standard weekly amount, currently £5.00, unless for example they are sick or disabled or have a dependent child living with them. This payment recognises that absent parents are important to their children and should normally be expected to contribute to their maintenance.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if travel to work costs are taken into consideration by the CSA in making assessments of payments by an absent parent; and if she will make a statement. [13734]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Travel to work costs are taken into consideration under the standard maintenance formula. Where the straight line distance of journeys from home to work exceeds 150 miles per week an allowance of 10 pence per mile is made for each excess mile.

Parents may apply for a departure from the standard assessment where they face high travel to work costs of more than £15.00 per week. This gives the flexibility to take account of individual circumstances in the minority of cases where the formula assessment does not give a fair result.