§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans she has to cap the amount of benefit money the State can recover from absent parents; [30921]
- (2)what plans she has to seek to amend the Child Support Act 1995 in order to protect voluntary agreements between separated parents; [30920]
- (3)what consultations she is planning as part of her review of the Child Support Act; when she expects the review to be completed; and if she will publish the evidence submitted to the review. [30985]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyAll children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they may live. Where benefit is not in payment it is already open to parents to make voluntary financial arrangements for their children. The Child Support Agency will become involved only where one or both parents so wish.
We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made and we expect to bring forward a consultation paper on our proposals by the Summer.