§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the Chief Child Support Officer's annual report for 1998–99. [96728]
§ Angela EagleThe annual report of the Chief Child Support Officer for the year 1998–99 is published today. This report provides information, based on monitoring of decision making in the Child Support Agency during 1998–99, on standards of decision making and levels of accuracy in the assessment of child support liability. The report indicates that, although substantial progress has been made there is still cause for concern about standards of decision making in child support. The Chief Child
956Wproperties. The estimates for each three year period from 1992–93 are set out in the table. Our records do not extend back to cover transfers before this date.
entitled to but not receiving one or more of (a) Income Support, (b) Housing Benefit and (c) Council Tax Benefit. [95632]
§ Mr. RookerThe information is as follows:
Support Officer's analysis of the causes of the inaccuracy in the scheme is a valuable contribution to the process of reform. In particular the report highlights the damaging effect the excessive complexity of the current maintenance formula.
The report shows that, of the assessments examined in 1998–99, fewer than one in five were definitely wrong in cash terms. In a further 22 per cent. there was insufficient evidence to tell whether the assessment was right or not. Overall, 60 per cent. were definitely correct in money terms, a slight rise from the 59 per cent. achieved in the previous year.
We expect to see continuing progress both as the result of continued efforts by Child Support Agency staff and as the provisions in the Social Security Act 1998 are implemented. It is clear that radical reform is the only real solution and the White Paper "A new contract for Welfare: Children's Rights and Parents' Responsibilities" sets out our proposals for a simple straightforward and transparent child support scheme.