§ Ms StuartTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children are affected by the fact that their absent father is not making any maintenance payment. [47226]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThere are approximately 1.8 million children in lone parent families in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit who have no maintenance paid by their non-resident parent. It is not possible to estimate the numbers of children who are in224W other lone parent families for whom no maintenance is paid since there is no requirement that such parents with care apply for child support.
Note: This represents a snapshot based on data taken from the August 1997 Income Support and CSA Quarterly Statistical Inquiries, and from August 1997 Family Credit Data. Excludes widowed lone parents who are assumed to form 5 per cent. of the lone parent caseload.