§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will investigate the level of accuracy of the CSA assessments. [12487]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyWe are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support Agency to ensure that it provides an efficient and effective service.
The receipt of regular maintenance is a key part of the Government's strategy for helping lone mothers into work. All the indicators currently in place show a continuing improvement in the accuracy of assessments. We expect this trend to be maintained both as the result of continued efforts by the agency's staff and as the provisions contained in the Social Security Bill are implemented in due course. These provisions will improve and simplify the decision-making process.
730WThe Child Support Agency and the Benefits Agency have established liaison arrangements to ensure that the two agencies work effectively together in providing an improved level of service for their joint customers. These include the shared use of common information or allegations made by the public to detect and prevent benefit fraud and the stationing of fraud liaison officers at Child Support Agency centres. Questions about child support are now included in the income support claim form to allow the maintenance process to begin as soon as benefit is claimed. And, from April 1998, parents with care will be helped to complete a maintenance application form when visited by Benefits Agency staff at the start of their income support claim.