HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc120-2W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to complete her review of the Child Support Agency. [29093]

Mr. Keith Bradley

We aim to bring forward a consultation paper on our proposals by the Summer.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many deductions from earnings orders issued by the CSA are currently in force; what is the number of accounts with live assessments with arrears; and if she will include this information in the CSA statistical information which is placed in the Library; [30119]

(2) how many deductions from earnings orders issued by the CSA have been appealed to the magistrates and sheriff courts; and how many of these appeals have been successful. [30120]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they may live.

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. Archy Kirkwood, dated 23 February 1998: I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency deductions from earnings orders and cases with arrears. The imposition of a deduction from earnings order is considered when the absent parent defaults on an agreement or refuses to come to an agreement. This step is taken as a last resort and every effort is made to secure the compliance of the absent parent before a deduction from earnings order is issued. From April 1998 to 30 November 1997 the number of deduction from earnings orders issued are as follows:

  • 1993–94: 2,600
  • 1994–95: 32,027
  • 1995–96: 52,931
  • 1996–97: 57,898
  • 1997–98 (to 30.11.97): 45,273.
We are increasingly becoming more effective in issuing deduction from earnings orders where the absent parent fails to make a maintenance payment or reach an agreement for repayment. Information on the number of appeals against deductions from earnings orders is only available from April 1996, as are the number of successful appeals to Magistrate and Sheriff courts. From April 1996 to November 1997, of 103,171 deductions from earnings orders issued, 330 appeals were received 138 of which were successful. You have also asked for details of accounts with live assessments with arrears and details are available from the Agency's Financial Management System. These can be split into those cases with full maintenance assessments and those with interim maintenance assessments. As at 31st January 1998, 286,437 cases with full maintenance assessments had arrears and 65,182 cases with interim maintenance assessments had arrears. The House of Commons Library Report is intended to provide information on the performance of those activities which are considered key to the operation of the Agency. There are no plans at present to include further information. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number of cases awaiting periodical review, change of circumstances review and second tier review at(a) 31 March (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997 and (b) 30 December 1997. [30124]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Faith Boardman, the Chief Executive. She will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 February 1998: I am replying to your Parliamentary Question about Child Support Agency assessment reviews. The number of review cases outstanding at each of the points in time requested in your question are shown in the table attached. For each category I have also provided details of the number of cases cleared at each of the points in time. Although the volume of work outstanding for review cases does not appear to have reduced significantly over the time period in question, the clearance figures show the improvement in the Agency's performance over the years, and we are now keeping abreast of new work. The Agency's performance has improved considerably since 1994/5, but we still have some way to go before customer service is at an acceptable level. Furthermore, the Agency expects its liveload to more than double to around 1.2 million by the end of 2003/2004. The Agency, therefore, needs to make the most of its resources to meet this challenge. I hope this is helpful.

Child Support Agency—Work on hand and cases cleared
Category 31.03.95 31.03.96 31.03.97 31.12.97
Periodic Reviews1
Work on hand 40,268 39,206 59,684 42,588
Number cleared in Financial Year 29,864 22,878 45,834 148,645
Change of circumstances
Work on hand 17,282 17,182 13,207 329,097
Number cleared in Financial Year 217,295 36,037 42,524 158,279

Child Support Agency—Work on hand and cases cleared
Category 31.03.95 31.03.96 31.03.97 31.12.97
Second tier reviews
Work on hand 7,252 11,189 6,279 5,319
Number cleared in financial year 28,272 26,955 36,339 33,905
1Figures for periodic reviews on hand reflect the number of cases where the Agency has all the relevant information or is awaiting further information. It is estimated that around 290,000 reviews may be outstanding.
2August to March data only.
3Change of circumstance work on hand did not previously include cases which were not going to breach the monetary tolerance level for change to the assessment. All changes of circumstances are now included.