HC Deb 10 November 1999 vol 337 cc556-7W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will seek to amend the Child Support Acts so that the provision of false information to the Agency relating to income and declared and undeclared earnings is treated as fraud and a criminal offence under the Acts. [97713]

Angela Eagle

As the White Paper "A new contract for welfare: Children's Rights and Parents' Responsibilities" indicated, when legislation for a reformed child support scheme is introduced, we plan to include new criminal penalties for supplying false information in relation to child support and failing to supply information when required to do so. Any person who is subject to the new offence will be liable to a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.